Fraud - Stay safe online
As fraudsters are getting more sophisticated in their scams, it is important to be aware of common risks and how to protect ourselves.
Action Fraud has put together these tips to keep us safe.
- Check who’s really contacting you
Fraudsters often call or message people, pretending to be from their bank, other well-known and trusted companies, or even someone they know. They can be very convincing, particularly if they’ve already managed to get hold of some personal information, for example by looking on social media. Having earned your trust, they often ask you to hand over confidential information, make a payment or give them access to their phone or computer.
How to reduce your risk
Never take calls or messages like this at face value – always take time to stop, think and check if the caller or sender is who they say they are.
- Don’t be rushed into a quick decision – think carefully before handing over money, personal details or access to your device
- If you have any doubts, hang up
- Fraudsters can spoof phone numbers, so the number that appears on your caller ID may not be proof of who they are
- Instead, check with the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on a utility bill, official website, or on the back of your card
- If you get a message from a family member asking you to send money, use known contact details to check if it’s real
- Be aware of offers that sound too good to be true
If you see a tempting offer that sounds too good to be true, you could be right.
- Don’t be rushed into a quick decision – always take time to stop, think and check if the message, offer or advert is genuine
- Don’t automatically click a link, particularly in unexpected messages
- If you’re not 100% sure, don’t use the link to click through – go direct to the organisation’s website
- Always stay on trusted websites and use the site’s recommended payment methods
- Avoid paying by bank transfer or virtual currency
- Think carefully before you hand over any money or personal details
- Use different passwords for different accounts
Lots of people use the same password for multiple accounts, such as email, bank account and social media accounts. It may be easier for you to remember, but imagine if a fraudster gets hold of that password. Now they can access all your online accounts.
How to reduce your risk
Choose a different password for each account. Too difficult to remember them all? You can keep track of passwords using a password manager, or by using three random words to make them more memorable.
- Never choose a password that features names, places and numbers that are personal to you
- Choose a different password for each account that is strong and hard to guess but if you can’t change them all at once, prioritise your email account
- Use 2-step verification
Even if someone has chosen strong and unique passwords for their email and bank accounts, there’s always a risk that a fraudster could get hold of them. If they do, there’s nothing to stop them accessing those accounts to steal money and other personal details.
How to reduce your risk
Setup 2-step verification (2SV) on your most important accounts, such as email and social media. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity when you’re logging into an online account. It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts from criminals.
This content was taken from Action Fraud. For more information, visit: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk