Police in the UK have issued a warning to the general public amid a scam circulating around the country.
The scammers claim to be MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis and authorities have said that already more than 300 people have reported receiving the fraudulent email in the space of just one week.
The news comes as Martin Lewis, alongside 13 celebrities, signed an open letter to PM Boris Johnson pleading the Government to include paid-for scam advertising in the scope of the upcoming Online Safety Bill.
Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cyber reporting website, issued the warning on Twitter last week (December 8) after receiving what it called a "significant uplift" in reports about emails purporting to be from Martin.
The email begins by reading: "We are in a crisis: Follow this revolutionary way to survive financially."
It then encourages readers to follow the links within the email and suggests people can get access to financial advice from Martin, to help them save money.
The links then lead to phishing websites designed to trick you into revealing your personal and financial details or by installing malware on your device.
Police and MonseySavingExpert.com themselves are now warning the public that if they receive this email, do not follow the links and instead report it to the National Cyber Security Centre.
You can do so by emailing report@phishing.gov.uk.
Be aware that MSE won't send out emails except their weekly newsletter or those you'd get if you're signed up to one of our services.
MSE also warned that they will "never, ever, EVER cold-call. We're a consumer help website, here to fight your corner. We will never call you or send anyone to knock on your door.
"If you're unsure, go directly to the MSE site - we always put the content there - and see our Stop Scams guide for tips on how to protect yourself and your cash and for information on what to do if you think you've been caught out by a scam."
What does the fake Martin Lewis email say?
According to MSE, the full email reads the following:
The box below details what the fake email says in full, with some annotation from MSE in square brackets. You'll notice some spelling and grammatical mistakes, which is a telltale sign it's been sent by fraudsters:
[Fake email title:] Martin Lewis: We are in a crisis: Follow this revolutionary way to survive financially
READ MORE [This links to phishing website]
[Fake email body:] We are in a crisis. The health panic is followed by an economic panic. People stop going out, stop shopping and dramatically reduce spending. This has an immediate impact on cashflow. Without cash, businesses go bust. Without cash, suppliers don't get paid and they in turn can't pay their creditors. The knock-on effect will be swift. Tax revenue will seize up. In addition, businesses without cash can't pay their employees who must be laid off. This exacerbates the slump.
Unfortunately, as cashflow dries up, those with cash will hoard it. Hoarding is the natural reaction to a panic - witness what is happening right now in supermarkets. The same will happen with cash. As more and more cash disappear from balance sheets, more and more cash will be hoarded.
So, what are the do's and don'ts in these difficult times? We consult with a great finances [sic] expert Martin Lewis who recognizes [sic]* the pivotal role of Economics [sic] in all of our daily lives and it is his aim to make the 'dismal science' as captivating and accessible as possible.
READ MORE [This links to phishing website]
* 'SIC' indicates that the word or phrase is quoted exactly as it stands, even though it contains grammatical or spelling errors.
SCAM: Watch out for these fake emails claiming to be from @MartinSLewis, we’ve received more than 300 reports in one week!
— Action Fraud (@actionfrauduk) December 8, 2021
You can help us to remove malicious emails and websites like these by forwarding suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk pic.twitter.com/W4P0HRrD6b
What to do if you're contacted by someone claiming to be MSE
If you've already responded to a scam, end all further communication immediately, call your bank directly, and report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or report a scam anonymously on its website.
If you wish to seek further advice, contact Citizens Advice Scam Action through its website, or call its online scams helpline on 0808 250 5050.
