Keep Your Money Safe Online and Offline
Dear Watch Member,
The closure of many businesses and changes in most people’s routines has presented new opportunities to criminals looking to commit fraud and cybercrime. Those working from home or furloughed are likely to see more fraudulent emails, SMS messages or bogus callers.
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the fact that more people are at home due to social distancing measures. Naturally they will be easier to target by bogus callers who look to commit burglaries by distracting the occupant or posing as someone from the water board or gas supplier. People will also be spending more time online, making them more susceptible to online fraud, such as phishing emails, bogus text messages and social media posts.
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to fraud:
- Don’t respond to emails or texts out of the blue asking you for your personal or financial info
- Don’t respond to messages asking you to “confirm” or “verify” your personal or financial details – this is a common tactic used by criminals
- Create strong passwords using three random words. For example such as a fruit, a colour, and make of car i.e. Yellowappleford1! Use passwords with over 15 characters, using upper and lower case, numbers and symbols.
- Use a different password for every login and use either a password manager or if you don’t want to / can’t do that write them down if you can’t remember them. If you do write them down don’t leave your password list in plain sight.
- Use two factor authentication wherever this is an option, which requires two different methods to prove your identity before you can access a service. This is usually a password and another method, such as a code sent to your mobile phone.
For more simple tips on how to protect yourself online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk.
If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]
Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team