ALERT: Warning to Sheffield residents over fake NatWest text messages

Cyber crime reporting centre Action Fraud said a new 'smishing' scam has been doing the rounds in which the scammer uses specialist software to alter the sender ID on the message, making it look like it was sent from a trusted organisation or person.

The message is then added to any existing message thread from the organisation, potentially duping the recipient into believing it is a legitimate message. These latest cases of ‘smishing’ often claim to be from a member of NatWest’s security team.

Action Fraud said the fake messages ask recipients to login to their account using a link to an exact replica of the NatWest website. It then asks for sensitive information, including full name, address, contact details, PIN and debit card numbers to defraud the victim.

But the organisation warned that genuine banks will never contact you in this way.

A spokesperson said: "A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you in this way.

"Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.”