B&NES Council has met criticism over an email sent to local residents regarding their electoral registration, which has been deemed a ‘phishing’ attempt by those who have received it.
The email, which has been introduced this year to reduce costs incurred by the council, has been sent to residents to ensure an accurate register is kept of those eligible to vote across the area.
However, many residents have said they are suspicious of the out of the blue email, and have labelled it a ‘phishing’ attempt – which is when messages are sent by criminals that are made to look like they are from a known sender and are designed to steal personal information.
Although the email is official, and has come from ‘elecreg.co.uk’ on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council, concern has been raised that the email could now be copied by scammers, and used to steal information.
I think a lot of people will think this is a phishing attempt, sadly.
— Chris Wiles (@chriswiles) August 1, 2017
Any chance you can make it look less like a phishing scam in future..?
— Tom Oates (@northernt0m) August 2, 2017
I have completed this but also questioned whether it was real. It also said I wasn't a postal voter and I am so is sending me another form?
— Shannon (@Canuck_in_Bath) August 2, 2017
I work for B&NES council and was dubious about the email I received this morning. Plus the number isn't the general council switchboard no?
— Chloe (@ChloeDonneky) August 1, 2017
Real?! You include a link to non-.go.uk URL and include both sets of security codes. This is extremely poor security for sensitive data. https://t.co/4vSRS8pgws
— Dave Avent (@daveavent) August 1, 2017
A request to Bath & North East Somerset Council for a statement on the emails, and their questionable appearance, remains unanswered at the time of publishing. When a response is received, this story will be updated.
