Wave of Fake SMS Impersonating Aemet Amid Storm: Scam Alert

La storm has reached the streets and municipalities of Alicante, as well as mobile phones. The Valencian Association of Consumers and Users (Avacu) has warned of the increase in SMS scams in the name of Aemet.

Fraudsters have impersonated the identity of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) to entice users to download a supposed mobile application. In this way, they attempt to deceive users during the storm affecting Alicante province and the rest of the Community this week.

Avacu has pointed out that these fake SMS, impersonating Aemet's identity, were sent after the rain alert was declared across the territory.

The scam message includes a text, with spelling mistakes, stating: "A severe storm is expected in your region. Prepare and stay safe. Download the APP." It then continues with a fake link where users download a 'malware' link.

Aemet itself has echoed this scam attempt via SMS and urged not to download or click on such links with which fraudsters aim to access devices.

Moreover, the state agency highlights three signs that suggest these messages are 'a trap', such as spelling mistakes - in this case, the absence of accents -, ordering the download of an application, and not being warned through any other official communication channel.

"If in doubt, do not click," advises the state agency. A recommendation also shared by the Emergency Coordination 112 through its social networks.

According to Avacu, attempts at fraud through emails and mobile messages have recently multiplied. They take advantage of emergency situations or alerts, when "the public is more sensitive and it may be easier to fall for them."

Another scam attempt detected arrives via email, this time impersonating the National Police and warning of an "official summons." This email also urges clicking on a link that, evidently, does not lead to any official page.

Avacu explains that these messages are more common than desirable, so they advise not to respond or send personal information or bank details to such SMS or emails.

They also stress the importance of being wary of messages from unknown sources and not opening any attachments they may include, nor entering the links included in the text, as is the case with the fake SMS impersonating Aemet.

It is also advised not to call the phone number from which the SMS is received, as it could be some kind of scam to subscribe to a service or call with a special rate more expensive than usual.