Attempted scam / phishing emails

Reports of attempted scam and phishing emails

We have received multiple reports of scam and phishing emails across the region. These emails may appear to come from trusted contacts whose accounts have been compromised.

Please remain vigilant and take the following precautions:

• 🔎 Verify the sender: Check the email address carefully, even if the name looks familiar.
• 🚩 Look for red flags: Be cautious of unexpected requests, urgent language, or suspicious links and attachments
• 🗣️ Report suspicious emails: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to us using the IM Digital Portal.
• 🚨 If you have accidentally clicked a link on a suspicious email, please call your IT Service Desk on 0151 296 7777.

⚠️ Always confirm the legitimacy of any email before clicking links, downloading attachments, or sharing sensitive information. Consider verifying this with a phone call to the person’s phone number on file.

Recent scam example

A fraudster is calling NHS organisations, pretending they are from Barclays bank. In several cases, they have mentioned a payment to a company called Global Economy Limited. This is a trick to start a conversation.

⚠️ Note: There is no real UK company named ‘Global Economy Limited’.

They may also follow up with an email from an incorrect email address of ‘support@barclays . help . co . uk’ – this is NOT a Barclays UK email address.

Although the fraudsters in this case are pretending to be from Barclays, they could just as easily pretend to be from another bank.

If you think an email is suspicious:

• 🚫 Do not click any links
• ❌ Delete the email
• 📵 If you are unsure about an email, do not call the number it provides. Instead, use the phone number on the bank or financial institution’s official website, or the one printed on your debit or credit card.
• 📲 Call 159 from a mobile phone to be put through to your bank’s fraud team, powered by Action Fraud.

Good cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. One of the most common attempts to breach cyber security defences is the use of scam emails.