EE Warns of Rising Text Scams During Valentine’s Day and Festive Seasons
EE has issued an urgent warning to its customers about the rising threat of text-based scams, particularly during key periods such as Valentine’s Day and the festive season. The UK mobile network operator revealed that nine in ten Brits have shared personal data over text messages, chat apps, or social media, leaving them vulnerable to scams or criminal impersonation.
According to research commissioned by EE, 93% of online daters have sent personal details to potential love interests, including phone numbers (65%), locations (51%), and social media profiles (35%). This behaviour increases the risk of falling victim to romance scams, with 11% of surveyed individuals reporting they have been targeted, resulting in an average loss of £2,500. EE also noted a spike in scam texts in February 2024, blocking 12 million messages compared to the monthly average of 8.9 million over the past year.
The network has highlighted several “red flags” to watch for when engaging with online love interests, including requests for money or gifts (64%), urgent or emotional language (49%), and avoiding video calls or in-person meetings (41%). Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE, emphasised the importance of vigilance, particularly during emotionally charged periods like Valentine’s Day. He advised users to avoid sharing sensitive information and to verify identities through video calls or in-person meetings.
EE’s warning extends beyond romance scams, as the network has also cautioned users about festive fraud during December. Common tactics include fake delivery texts, time-pressure scams, and impersonation schemes. The provider has blocked millions of scam texts but urges customers to remain cautious and avoid clicking on suspicious links or replying to dubious messages.
The network’s ongoing efforts to combat scams include raising awareness and providing tools like Scam Guard to help users protect themselves. As scams become increasingly sophisticated, EE continues to stress the importance of vigilance and secure online practices.
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