Ribble Valley MP expresses concern over 'growing success' of email scams

13:00 22nd January 2009

Nigel Evans, Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, has expressed concern over the "growing success" of email 'phishing' scams in the UK, reports Politics.co.uk.

Phishing involves criminal gangs sending mass emails to web-users inviting personal information to be sent in exchange for large cash sums.

Internet fraudsters are also increasingly sending messages masquerading as emails from high street banks and building societies and the scams are growing more elaborate as the economic downturn worsens.

Mr Evans told the website: "We are very concerned about the growing success of these email scams. They are particularly damaging at a time when people are increasingly financially stretched."

According to the GetSafeOnline campaign, over 40 per cent of small businesses in the UK have become victims in one way or another, while a UK man recently fell for a scam and lost £100,000.

Computer training could help web-users to increase their knowledge of the internet and more readily identify phishing scams.

HM Revenue and Customs recently warned that fraudsters have targeted online self-assessment taxpayers by sending out emails offering a rebate in exchange for personal information.