Potential scammers could use the new service as an opportunity to scam users. Advice Direct Scotland warns people to be wary of requests from numbers claiming to be connected to the alerts system. 

Expected exploits of this service could look like someone asking you for personal or financial information through text, email, or over the phone. 

“Scammers often reach out through text message, email, or by phone call to request what may seem like insignificant information. However, these tactics can be used to gather our data to use against us later,” said Lyndsay McFee, team lead at consumeradvice.scot, a national consumer advice service. 

The service, like many others around the world, will be used to notify people with advice on how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. Examples such as health emergencies, severe floods, fires, and industrial accidents are some of the events that could trigger a notification. 

The notification will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones in the area where the risk is located. It will appear as an on screen message with a loud siren sound that can be swiped away to use the phone as normal. The notification will sound or vibrate for about 10 seconds. 

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The system does not track your location, require your phone number to be entered or collect any of your personal data. The service will be broadcast from a mobile-phone mast to all phones and tablets in range. 

The service is due to be tested this Sunday, April 23rd at approximately 15:00 BST. Scams are likely to occur in relation to the test, and if you are suspicious of a text, email, or call received looking like a scam, you can report it using this link.