Residents are being warned to ’remain vigilant’ as a text message scam hits the island.

The police have urged the public not to text or call the number given by the scam that has been circulating this week.

A number of residents received the message, which read: ’Do you approve of the following IOM Bank online payment to Amazon online for 792.68 GBP.’

It then gave the option to reply ’Y’ for ’yes’ or to call a number provided ’immediately’.

An Isle of Man Bank spokesman told the Manx Independent: ’We’ve been made aware of another smishing attack impacting people living in the Isle of Man this week.’

They urged customers to ’remain vigilant’ and gave the following advice;

â?¢ Never call back on a number contained within a text message.

â?¢ Check the number you’re being asked to call. Only ever call the bank on a known or published number (such as on the bank’s website, the telephone directory or on your bank statement).

â?¢ Never use your card reader when logging into your online banking account, or over the phone. We would never ask a customer to divulge their card reader code.

â?¢ If they’ve responded to a message like this, they should contact the bank immediately using their published numbers.

The spokesman added that those who have received fraudulent messages can help by sending a copy to a dedicated smishing number on 07860 009 378.

’Smishing’ is short for SMS phishing and is defined as a security attack which the user is tricked into downloading a virus onto their mobile device.

For further information and advice you can also visit: www.actionfraud.police.uk/