The National Cyber Security Centre (an arm of GCHQ) has been flooded with more than 160,000 suspicious emails within two weeks, after putting out a call to the UK public to report any coronavirus-related internet scams.
The call was issued after the agency tracked a surge in cyber scams and attacks geared towards exploiting the coronavirus pandemic for financial gain. So far, the emails have helped lead to the removal of more than 300 scam sites.
“This really is a phenomenal response from the British public. I would like to thank them for embracing our reporting service as well as the many organisations which have promoted it,” Ciaran Martin, chief executive of NCSC, said in a statement. “While cyber criminals continue to prey on people’s fears, the number of scams we have removed in such a short timeframe shows what a vital role the public can play in fighting back.”
Some of the material the agency has removed include scam websites hawking fake coronavirus-related products including face masks, testing kits and vaccines. Other scam websites emulate legitimate sites such as Gov.uk and the TV licensing site in an attempt to hoodwink hapless internet users into sharing their personal details.
To use the reporting tool, you just have to forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
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