Kids' books removed from libraries over web links

Cornwall's librarians have removed a range of children's book from shelves after a website link printed inside them was found to lead to malicious websites.

Book publisher Faber said the funwithhumphrey website link printed in editions of the Humphrey book series pointed to a range of phishing websites which changed each time the link was refreshed.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said the books had been temporarily withdrawn from libraries so the back page could be removed or covered.

A Faber spokesperson said the publisher had asked all of its customers to remove the books "until such time they can be replaced" and apologised for the inconvenience and distress the website link had caused.

Phishing involves scammers attempting to trick people into giving them information by email or online which could see people become victims of stealing or identity theft.

They said: "This website is not in any way associated with Faber or the author Betty Birney."

The Faber spokesperson said the publisher had acted "as a matter of urgency" and had frozen all of the affected stock.

They said the website had been reported to the National Cyber Security Centre and they advised people not to visit the website or allow children to.

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