TRUST- Overcoming the phycological barriers of the digital world

Type of SCAM: Email Scams

Scammers send bogus emails in the hope that people will enter their personal or financial details. They may direct you to a fake website, trick you into thinking you’ve won a lottery or prize.

Some emails, known as spam or junk, may also have a link or file attached for you to click on or open. Opening these links or downloading the files may harm your device.

Scam emails can look genuine and appear to be from official places, like HMRC or a bank, but you can often tell it’s a scam. Look out for:

• errors in the spelling or grammar, or an unusual style of writing.
• requests for personal information, such as your username, full password or bank details – genuine organisations will NEVER ask this.
• threats that unless you act now, a deal will expire or your account closed.

Type of SCAM: Fake Websites

Scammers create fake websites which look official, requesting you to provide personal or financial information. For example, a fake bank website may be set up asking you to update your account or security information. Often, they will look very similar and only a few details may be different.

There are also websites set up to look like a copy of a service offered by government websites. For example, websites which offer to help you apply for a passport renewal or a new driving licence. Although they are not illegal, these websites charge extra money if you use them, rather than going directly through the official government department where the service is free of charge.

Type of SCAM: Computer Viruses

Computer viruses (sometimes called malware), are rogue programs 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.

Criminals can then use this to take control of your computer, or the virus may scan your computer for personal information. It can also slow your computer down, send out spam email or delete files.

You may even get a phone call from someone claiming to be from a well-known software company, like Microsoft, saying there’s a problem with your computer and needing to get access to it, including your personal details. Legitimate IT companies NEVER contact customers in this way. This is a common phone scam – hang up straight away.

Type of SCAM: Relationship Scams

Scammers can use social networks like Facebook or dating websites. Once they’ve gained your trust they’ll start asking for money, often by telling you an emotional or hard luck story.

These tricks are hard to spot, so it’s always worth talking to a friend or relative about it, especially if things seem to be moving fast. Be careful if the person starts moving away from the chat room or dating site to communicating by email or text message