Residents in Powys are being urged to STOP. THINK. CALL. before they respond to a suspicious or unusual message.

Powys County Council’s Trading Standards Service are reminding residents to stay alert regarding message-based scams and is supporting the STOP. THINK. CALL. campaign.

The campaign was launched by WhatsApp, in partnership with the National Trading Standards’ Friends Against Scams campaign, which aims to help prepare the general public and protect their WhatsApp account from message-based scams.

More than half the public have said to have received a message-based scam in the last year - or know someone who has.

According to recent research, these types of scam messages have been sent both via SMS text message or WhatsApp and unfortunately are on the rise.

Cllr Beverley Baynham, cabinet member for corporate governance and regulatory services, said: “Scammers send messages that appear to come from a friend or family member asking for personal information, money, or a six-digit PIN number.

“The messages are sent from the compromised accounts of your friends, so they look as if they’re coming from someone you know, or from an unknown number claiming to be a friend who has lost their phone or been ‘locked out’ of their account.

“These kinds of scams are particularly cruel as they prey on our kindness and desire to help friends and family.”

WhatsApp, Friends Against Scams and the council’s Trading Standards Service are calling on the public to STOP. THINK. CALL. before they respond to a suspicious or unusual message.

STOP: Take Five before you respond. Make sure your WhatsApp two-step verification is switched on to protect your account; that you’re happy with your privacy settings; and your six-digit pin is secure.

THINK: Does this request make sense? Are they asking you to share a PIN code they have had sent to you? Are they asking for money? Remember scammers prey on people’s kindness, trust and willingness to help.

CALL: Verify it really is your friend or family member by calling them directly. Only when you’re 100% sure the request is from someone you know and trust, should you consider it. If untrue, report to Action Fraud Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk