Today is Safer Internet Day. We regularly provide advice to our service user about staying safe online and thought a few hints and tips today would be a reminder about the importance of keeping safe online.
We have taken the following tips from the Age UK website but to access more information and read the webpage in full please click here – it is worth a read.
- If you see a suspicious email, don’t reply with your details or open any links or documents. Delete the email straight away. If the email claims to be from an organisation, phone them directly using the phone number found on their official website and ask them.
- Scammers create fake websites which look official and persuade you to provide personal or financial information. For example, a scammer might create a fake website for the bank you use, and ask you to update your account or security information on it. Often, these websites can look very convincing and only a few details might be different.
- Top tip – Visit your bank’s website by typing their official web address in your internet browser – you can find this on letters from the bank. If you aren’t sure about which website to use for a government service, go through Gov.uk, the government’s official website, to find what you need.
- Computer viruses (sometimes called malware), are programmes that spread from one computer to another. You may be sent an email with an attachment which, when you click on it, will release a virus. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware to protect your computer from viruses.
- Relationship scams – Scammers can use social networks like Facebook or dating websites. Once they’ve gained your trust they might start asking you for money, often by telling you an emotional story about their life. These tricks are hard to spot but never send the person money or give them your account details. If you arrange to meet, make sure it’s in a public place, tell someone else where you’re going and don’t give away information too quickly.
To report the online scam contact the Action Fraud website or call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm).
If you would like support to get online or to learn more about being online – click here for information about the Get online Reading service.