Action Fraud are warning the public to be vigilant of unsolicited emails promoting cryptocurrency investment opportunities.
In the past week over 750 reports have been received about Bitcoin-related phishing emails that use fake celebrity endorsements to try and lure victims into investment scams.
The links in the emails lead to fraudulent websites that are designed to steal your money, as well as personal and financial information.
⚠️ Watch out for unsolicited emails about Bitcoin investment opportunities. We’ve had hundreds of Bitcoin-related scam emails reported to us this week.
If you receive one, report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk #PhishyFridays pic.twitter.com/b2b5VCoH5P
— Action Fraud (@actionfrauduk) February 12, 2021
How you can protect yourself:
- Investment opportunities: Don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into making a transaction on the spot.
- Seek advice first: Speak with a trusted friend or family members, and seek independent professional advice before making significant financial decisions.
- FCA register: Use the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) register to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If you deal with a firm (or individual) that isn’t regulated, you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if things go wrong and you lose your money.
- For more information about how to invest safely, please visit: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart
- Report suspicious emails: If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service by forwarding the email to – report@phishing.gov.uk
