Warning over email scam using fake telecom bills

The scam imitating Manx Telecom has seen emails target manx.net addresses

People have been warned to be aware of a scam targeting customers of a telecommunications company which could lead to them losing access to accounts.

Manx Telecom said the messages had asked people to view a new fake bill by clicking on an unsafe link sent to email addresses on its manx.net platform.

The Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man confirmed it had received "a large number of reports" of emails imitating the firm and asking for "sensitive details".

The centre has advised people report any suspicious communications and not to "click on any links or give out any personal information".

The government body said it was also aware of dozens of "account compromises" of of addresses on the platform, which was a type of attack where unauthorised access to an email account was gained.

This had led to a loss of access to various accounts, including social media, it confirmed.

A spokesman for the centre said the emails had ranged "in design and wording" but "primarily featured a Manx Telecom or Manx.net logo".

He said they would then ask the recipient to "take urgent action", such as updating account details "using classic social-engineering tactics" asking victims to "take actions they would not normally do", such as sharing email addresses and passwords, he said.

Once this information had been passed on, the scammer could then send emails posing as the victim and use the account for other illegal activity, he said.

Issuing advice to help people "avoid becoming a victim", he urged residents not to click links that do not appear to be genuine and not to be pressured by any time-sensitive requests.