Don’t fall for internet fraud

Many of us use the internet as part of our daily lives, for banking, shopping, socialising and entertainment but are you protected against potential fraudsters?

Phishing is an attempt to trick users into revealing personal or financial data.

Ensure you don’t become a victim. Common features of emails used by fraudsters are:

• Phishing emails are not usually sent to your own name, general terms are used such as ‘Dear account holder’

• Emails tend to request immediate action such as changing your password or providing bank details, otherwise your account may be closed

• They usually contain spelling and grammar errors

• The email address of the sender is usually different to that of the trusted company’s website address

• Links within the email direct you to an insecure website that does not feature the padlock icon or a secure web address starting with https://

• Spam emails tend to be from someone you don’t know. Although sometimes if someone’s email address has been compromised emails can be circulated to their address book

• Never click an embedded link in an email from someone you don’t know or an untrusted source. These can contain viruses or take you to websites containing inappropriate material

• If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

For more information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z_of_fraud.

You can also report any suspicious activity to Action Fraud and/or the company that the email is purporting to be from.