Martin Lewis' MSE warns millions in England who 'received a text' on Thursday

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert has warned anybody who received a text message yesterday to "not ignore it". BBC Sounds and ITV star Mr Lewis' MSE team have warned the Metropolitan Police has contacted thousands of people across the UK whose personal data may have been harvested.

The Met Police warned: "If you have recently received a text message, email or letter from us about your data being accessed, we know this may be distressing and worrying. This page is dedicated to giving you all the information you need to know and to reassure you that we have already taken steps to protect your data.

"Please be aware that we have been very cautious not to add any links or attachments within our communication. Therefore, if you receive any contact from the Met with links in, this will be fraudulent so please do not engage with this."

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It added: "We have contacted you because some of your data has been obtained through a fraudulent website. This website may have looked like a company you recognise such as your bank, mobile phone providers or another trusted organisation. It would have encouraged you to enter details such as your email address, phone number or bank details. This is called a phishing website."

MSE added: "If you get one of the Met Police's messages, it means some of your data was obtained by fraudsters through what's known as a 'phishing' website, designed to trick you into giving up personal information."

The Met Police advises you to change your online passwords, check your bank and credit card accounts for any suspicious activity and to be "extremely suspicious about any calls you get purporting to be from your bank or the police."

MSE added: "For further guidance and support relating to the messages, you can call the Met Police's dedicated phone line on 0207 230 8603. This line will be open from 8am to 8pm daily until Sunday 21 April."