Scammers are increasingly relying on the Internet to defraud you or to steal your identity. Many scams circulate via email and social networks. These will ask for your personal details, bank or credit card numbers or online logins and passwords.

Be alert to online scams and don't click on links that you are not sure about. Never give people personal information or credit card details unless you know who they are.

Remember:

• Never open emails that look odd and don’t click on links that you are not sure of
• Know who you are dealing with if you are providing any personal data. Note banks will never ask for your account numbers or pin details
• Be suspicious if anyone asks you for personal or financial information
• Often the scams will try to look like regular accounts
• Make sure you don’t provide enough information online or through social networks that will help people to steal your identity
• Make sure you are using a secure website for any purchases in some browsers there will be a padlock symbol to denote a secure site
• Ensure you have security software that will block spam or phishing emails. The software and anti-virus needs to be kept up-to-date as scammers are continually trying to find ways round security measures

Useful Links

Get Safe Online
Action Fraud - A-Z Scams