Staying Safe Online

Online shopping 

Emails 

These might be a message from somebody that you know saying that they have a problem and can you help them out. Your friends email account will have been hacked and scammers are relying on your good nature to pay them money. If you aren’t sure ring your friend and ask if all is ok. At the very least you will notify them that their account has been hacked and they can change their password to protect themselves.

Scam emails can look very official and genuine such as TV licence renewals or Driving Licence renewals. Always check the senders email address, if it is genuine it will end in the organisations genuine address. Scam emails are generally random/personal email addresses and therefor you can tell that they aren’t genuine.  

• You can send your suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk 
• The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC’s) automated programme will immediately test the validity of the site. Any sites found to be phishing scams will be removed immediately. 
• How to spot a scam email, text message or call - NCSC.GOV.UK

Phishing Emails

Phishing emails contain a call to action. For example they try to get you to visit a website where criminals can steal important information like your usernames, passwords, bank details, and other personal stuff. They often use urgent words to make you act quickly without checking the email carefully.

Most of the time, if you click on the link in the email, it takes you to a fake login page that looks real. This fake page might look like it belongs to services like Google, Microsoft, or government websites. If you type your password on this fake page, the criminals can get into your online accounts, like your email. They can then use your email to find more personal information or send more phishing emails to your friends.

SMS Phishing (Smishing)

Smishing is when phishing is done through text messages instead of emails. These messages also try to get you to click on untrustworthy links. They often promise money or government payments, like tax refunds, to trick you. During the coronavirus pandemic, smishing messages used financial problems caused by the virus to trick people into signing up for fake support packages.

Social Media 

Similar to email scams any message relating to money from a friend should be treated with caution. Scammers are cloning Facebook accounts then messaging everyone in their account to either ask for money or to advise about an amazing financial opportunity. Do not respond to these requests. Contact your friend and ask them if its really them. Again you will have alerted your friend that they have been hacked as well as preventing yourself from losing money to scammers. You and your friend should both change your passwords 

Whatsapp 

These messages usually include supermarkets offering vouchers. It asks you to forward the message to 10 contacts. This is known as a phishing exercise. It is designed to collect yours and your friends details which can later be used in more elaborate scams. More recently we have seen Whatsapp messages that claim to be one of your children and they have lost/broken their mobile and using a temporary replacement. They won't be able to do online banking and have to make a payment and will ask you to do this on their behalf. This is a scam! If you receive this type of message ring your child on their original number and confirm with them. 

Online Dating 

These scams are easy for criminals to do. They just need the internet and patience. Scammers use dating sites and online games to talk to people. They move the chat to texting or WhatsApp and slowly gain your trust, sometimes over months. Then, they ask for money, saying it’s an emergency and they will pay you back. By this time, you might think they are your friend or someone who loves you. They promise to pay you back and visit you, but they only want to take your money. Some people lose all their money and homes because of this. Never give money to someone you haven’t met in person.

Online Quizzes, Questionnaires and Surveys 

Scammers will use these to find out basic information about you. This can lead to them deciphering your passwords or at the least give them background for a later scam. Be really careful about what information you share online. Ask yourself if you really need to share what they are asking for. 

Handy Hints

Listed below are some handy hints to remember when using your digital device 

Never 

• Reveal bank or card details or personal information in emails, social networking or in person. 
• Click on links in emails, posts, tweets or texts and don’t open attachments if the source isn’t 100% known and trustworthy, or it seems strange that you’d be receiving them. 
• Pay for anything by direct bank transfer, including goods, services, tickets, travel and holidays. 
• Call your bank or card provider if requested to do so by a phone call or an email. 

Always 

• Choose, use and protect your passwords carefully. Did you know that using 3 random words, a capital letter and a number would take scammers up to 100,000 years to crack!! Don’t use the same password for every account 
• Keep your device secure by using a pin/passcode. Use antivirus software if available and run updates as they contain important security information. 
• Remember that a bank or other reputable organisation will never ask you for your password via email or phone call. 
• Ensure that your social media has adequate security settings. 

How to check or report

These useful websites and contacts can help you when you need further advice or wish to report and issue.

Citizens Advice

• Citizens Advice free Helpline: 0808 223 1133
• Visiting the website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Action Fraud

• Action Fraud website
  
• Action Fraud telephone: 03001232040

IW Trading Standards 

• IW Trading Standards email: trading.standards@iow.gov.uk
• IW Trading Standards telephone 01983 823371