The UK government has announced a national test of its Emergency Alerts system set for this Sunday, September 7th, at 3pm. The test will be sent to smartphones and tablets, including iPhones, as part of preparations for potential life-threatening emergencies such as floods and wildfires. This upcoming test follows the initial trial run that took place in April 2023. While the UK government has issued guidance on the Emergency Alert system to inform recipients about the upcoming test, security experts are cautioning about potential risks posed by fraudsters.
As per information available on the UK government’s website, the Emergency Alert system is designed to reach iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android devices running Android 11 or later on 4G and 5G networks, even in the absence of WiFi or mobile data connectivity. The system functions based on the recipient’s location rather than phone numbers. Users can anticipate their device emitting a loud siren-like sound, vibrating, and possibly reading out the alert. The alert sound and vibration may persist for up to 10 seconds.
In general, UK government Emergency alerts will provide a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for additional information. Despite the government’s statement that recipients “will not need to take any further action,” cybersecurity experts are warning that the test could expose millions of iPhone and Android users to potential risks. Scammers may exploit the test to deceive individuals into disclosing their data.
Lisa Webb, a scams expert at Which?, highlighted the likelihood of scammers taking advantage of the government’s Emergency Alerts test to perpetrate fraud. She mentioned, “Scammers will use any hook they can to try and steal money and personal information from victims, and unfortunately the government’s upcoming nationwide test of its new Emergency Alerts system will be no exception.”
Hackers may attempt to leverage the scheduled timing of the test by sending messages that mimic the Emergency Alert and include links resembling official government web addresses.
Webb also emphasized that the UK government would be disseminating a link with details about the alert. While the timing and method of distributing this link remain unclear, she advised caution and recommended verifying the information directly on the official government website rather than risking clicking on a potentially deceptive link.
Even if you are not located in the UK, it is crucial to remain vigilant. Opportunistic individuals will exploit any chance to deceive others, and a government alert reaching millions presents an ideal scenario for catching people off guard. In case of doubt regarding any message received, it is advisable to verify the information through the sender’s official website or by contacting their published phone number. Avoid clicking on links or downloading content from suspicious alerts, texts, or emails.
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