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Competition Scams - Please Post Them Here

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Comments

  • createbeauty
    createbeauty Posts: 2,649 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Is myoffers.co.uk genuine?

    Absolutely not.
  • lilias
    lilias Posts: 7,902 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thank you!!
    How about Radio City?


    A number of people on here have won from Radio City.
  • createbeauty
    createbeauty Posts: 2,649 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Thank you!!
    How about Radio City?

    Yeah, that one is okay. Most of the time someone will post in the thread of the competition if they don't think the competition is genuine or if the site is on the 'spam' list. :)
  • Can anyone please tell me if greatcompetitions.co.uk is genuine or not? Thanks. (Sorry to ask something that has probably been asked loads of times before, but I was looking for the list of sites to avoid but I wasn't sure where to find it...)
  • Can anyone please tell me if greatcompetitions.co.uk is genuine or not? Thanks. (Sorry to ask something that has probably been asked loads of times before, but I was looking for the list of sites to avoid but I wasn't sure where to find it...)

    They're fine. :) They're posted quite regularly on the main competition forum. :)
  • ellemm
    ellemm Posts: 11,262 Forumite
    Home Insurance Hacker! Cashback Cashier
    Can anyone please tell me if greatcompetitions.co.uk is genuine or not? Thanks. (Sorry to ask something that has probably been asked loads of times before, but I was looking for the list of sites to avoid but I wasn't sure where to find it...)

    Check out the Comping Guide sticky - No.11 on this

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=12237989&postcount=7
  • marialionza
    marialionza Posts: 7,123 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Data Support <DataSupport@marstons.co.uk>
    13:13 (6 hours ago)
    to
    Marstons PLC

    STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

    Dear Customer,

    We are writing to you because you have registered with the https://www.wychwood.co.uk website which is owned by Marston's PLC.

    We are writing to inform you that we have discovered that the database was the subject of a recent hacking attack, to let you know what we have done and are doing about it, and to give you advice on protecting yourself going forward. We also want to apologise for any concern and inconvenience this may cause you.

    What happened

    Our hosting partner, Digital Junkie, received a report from one person on the database that he had, on 30 September 2013, received a phishing email purporting to come from HSBC Bank, asking him to download a document in order to verify irregular activity in his bank account. It was sent to him at an email address he used only on the Wychwood site.

    We and Digital Junkie immediately began investigations and it became apparent that the parts of the database were accessed by hackers on 28 September 2013.

    The information hacked includes –

    · The name and contact details you provided to the site when you signed up.

    · An analysis of your loyalty to Hobgoblin.

    · Your log in details.

    · Details of the frequency at which you log into the site.

    · Your date of birth, if you provided it to us.



    The hackers also took about 3% of the passwords on the database. However, all passwords were protected by methods that would have meant the hackers were not able to decrypt them.

    We have had no other reports of spam, phishing or any other activity, and we know that the same phishing email was also sent to persons who are not registered with the Wychwood website. Nevertheless, we take data security extremely seriously, and set out below is what we have done to address it and what you can do to protect yourself.

    What we have done

    Although Digital Junkie’s security policies are strict and detailed, we have been working with them to identify if there are any areas where security can be strengthened. Additional measures have since been implemented by Digital Junkie which will mean it will not be possible for the database to be vulnerable to attack in this way again.

    What you can do

    The most important thing you can do is be alert to the risks of phishing emails at all times, as they are designed to trick you into revealing details which the hackers can then use for fraudulent purposes. If you are concerned, you could also change you email address.

    If you received the phishing email that purported to come from HSBC and responded to it, or if you think you may have responded to or acted on any other phishing emails, you should look out for any unusual activity which suggests possible identity theft. Examples of this include if suspicious transactions appear on your bank statements, post from your bank does not arrive, or you receive bills for goods and services that you have not purchased.

    It is important to act quickly if you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft. In particular, you should report it to the relevant organisation (for example your bank) as soon as you become aware of it. That organisation may report this to the police, or they may advise you to do so.

    The Information Commissioner's Office and Action Fraud have each published some very helpful guidance on identity theft, including the signs to look out for, what you can do to protect yourself against it, and what to do if you believe that you have been a victim. That guidance can be found here:

    · Information Commissioner's Office - http://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/identity_theft

    · Action Fraud - http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud_protection/identity_fraud



    Another way you can protect yourself is to subscribe to a credit report checking service, which reports key changes on your credit file that may indicate potential fraudulent activity. These services are offered by the three credit referencing agencies. We set out their details below:

    · Callcredit – https://www.callcredit.co.uk

    · Equifax – https://www.equifax.co.uk

    · Experian – https://www.experian.co.uk



    If you have any queries that the above sites do not address, we can be contacted by email at DataSupport@marstons.co.uk

    Yours sincerely



    Marston's PLC
    **********************************************************************************
    Visit our Web site at https://www.marstons.co.uk

    This email is confidential and may be legally privileged as are any files
    transmitted with it. It is intended solely for the use by the person to
    whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised
    that you have received this e-mail in error and that any disclosure,
    copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in
    reliance on it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

    Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do
    not necessarily represent those of Marston's PLC.

    "Marston's PLC is a public limited company registered in England and Wales.
    Registered number: 31461 Registered office: Marston's House, Wolverhampton, WV1 4JT."
    **********************************************************************************
    Thanks to those who help us to win !
    <3
  • redbull08
    redbull08 Posts: 3,211 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Data Support <DataSupport@marstons.co.uk>
    13:13 (6 hours ago)
    to
    Marstons PLC

    STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

    Dear Customer,

    We are writing to you because you have registered with the https://www.wychwood.co.uk website which is owned by Marston's PLC.

    We are writing to inform you that we have discovered that the database was the subject of a recent hacking attack, to let you know what we have done and are doing about it, and to give you advice on protecting yourself going forward. We also want to apologise for any concern and inconvenience this may cause you.

    What happened

    Our hosting partner, Digital Junkie, received a report from one person on the database that he had, on 30 September 2013, received a phishing email purporting to come from HSBC Bank, asking him to download a document in order to verify irregular activity in his bank account. It was sent to him at an email address he used only on the Wychwood site.

    We and Digital Junkie immediately began investigations and it became apparent that the parts of the database were accessed by hackers on 28 September 2013.

    The information hacked includes –

    · The name and contact details you provided to the site when you signed up.

    · An analysis of your loyalty to Hobgoblin.

    · Your log in details.

    · Details of the frequency at which you log into the site.

    · Your date of birth, if you provided it to us.



    The hackers also took about 3% of the passwords on the database. However, all passwords were protected by methods that would have meant the hackers were not able to decrypt them.

    We have had no other reports of spam, phishing or any other activity, and we know that the same phishing email was also sent to persons who are not registered with the Wychwood website. Nevertheless, we take data security extremely seriously, and set out below is what we have done to address it and what you can do to protect yourself.

    What we have done

    Although Digital Junkie’s security policies are strict and detailed, we have been working with them to identify if there are any areas where security can be strengthened. Additional measures have since been implemented by Digital Junkie which will mean it will not be possible for the database to be vulnerable to attack in this way again.

    What you can do

    The most important thing you can do is be alert to the risks of phishing emails at all times, as they are designed to trick you into revealing details which the hackers can then use for fraudulent purposes. If you are concerned, you could also change you email address.

    If you received the phishing email that purported to come from HSBC and responded to it, or if you think you may have responded to or acted on any other phishing emails, you should look out for any unusual activity which suggests possible identity theft. Examples of this include if suspicious transactions appear on your bank statements, post from your bank does not arrive, or you receive bills for goods and services that you have not purchased.

    It is important to act quickly if you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft. In particular, you should report it to the relevant organisation (for example your bank) as soon as you become aware of it. That organisation may report this to the police, or they may advise you to do so.

    The Information Commissioner's Office and Action Fraud have each published some very helpful guidance on identity theft, including the signs to look out for, what you can do to protect yourself against it, and what to do if you believe that you have been a victim. That guidance can be found here:

    · Information Commissioner's Office - http://www.ico.org.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/identity_theft

    · Action Fraud - http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud_protection/identity_fraud



    Another way you can protect yourself is to subscribe to a credit report checking service, which reports key changes on your credit file that may indicate potential fraudulent activity. These services are offered by the three credit referencing agencies. We set out their details below:

    · Callcredit – https://www.callcredit.co.uk

    · Equifax – https://www.equifax.co.uk

    · Experian – https://www.experian.co.uk



    If you have any queries that the above sites do not address, we can be contacted by email at DataSupport@marstons.co.uk

    Yours sincerely



    Marston's PLC
    **********************************************************************************
    Visit our Web site at https://www.marstons.co.uk

    This email is confidential and may be legally privileged as are any files
    transmitted with it. It is intended solely for the use by the person to
    whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised
    that you have received this e-mail in error and that any disclosure,
    copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in
    reliance on it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

    Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do
    not necessarily represent those of Marston's PLC.

    "Marston's PLC is a public limited company registered in England and Wales.
    Registered number: 31461 Registered office: Marston's House, Wolverhampton, WV1 4JT."
    **********************************************************************************

    Hi
    I got same email ...what do we do?
  • Hello, can someone tell me if the compition website' Offer X' is a con or it has real winners?
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