Ofsted has warned the education community to be vigilant after a childminder was targeted by fraudsters in a text scam.

The education watchdog issued guidance on Wednesday after a childminder had received a text from someone posing as Ofsted and asking her to call a mobile phone number.

However when the victim called the line she was later charged a “significant” sum of money, believed to be around £60.

It is the only case Ofsted has been made aware of to date, but the watchdog has now issued a warning to early years providers, and the wider education community.

A spokesperson said: “Ofsted will never text early years providers and ask them to call a mobile number.”

Schools Week reported in February how a prankster called Uncle Rafool has called more than 150 schools across the country impersonating an Ofsted inspector – telling staff they had lost their jobs before uploading the recording onto YouTube.

Heads who had fallen prey to the prank called it distressing and time-wasting.

We also revealed last year how schools had been scammed out of thousands of pounds after their phone systems were hacked and calls diverted to pricey premium-rate numbers.

Schools in at least two different regions had called in police to investigate phone bills running into five-figures.

 

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