As we celebrate UK Safer Internet Day on 11 February 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on this year’s theme of "Too Good to Be True? Protecting yourself and others from scams online" highlighting the importance of being cautious and vigilant in the digital landscape, where online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent.
What is an online scam?
Online scams can take many forms, from phishing emails and fake lottery wins to investment scams and impersonation fraud. They often promise incredible opportunities or financial gains that seem too good to be true - and often, they are!
Scammers exploit our natural inclinations to bag a bargain, leading individuals to make hasty decisions without thinking. In this digital age, being informed is our first line of defence against these malicious tactics.
Tips to protect yourself and others online
Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe online:
- Be wary of unsolicited offers
If you receive an unexpected message claiming you've won a prize or are entitled to financial compensation, take a moment to think. Scammers often use urgency and excitement to pressure you into acting quickly.
- Check the source
Always check the sender's email address and conduct your own research about the organisation or individual reaching out to you. Scammers can easily create email addresses that look legitimate at first glance.
- Don’t share personal information
Never share sensitive information such as your bank details, passwords, or national insurance number in response to unsolicited inquiries or offers.
- Use strong, unique passwords
Create strong passwords for different accounts - three random words, mix in numbers and characters etc. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.
- Enable Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Enhance your account security by enabling MFA wherever possible via text message or an authenticator app. This adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification, which makes it difficult for hackers!
- Educate yourself and others
Stay informed about the latest scams and share information with friends and family sites such as Which? regularly update their website with the latest scams. Awareness is the best defence against falling victim to fraud.
- Report suspicious activity
If you encounter a scam, report it to the authorities. In the UK, you can report scams to Action Fraud or your local police. You can report scam emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk and suspicious websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre Sharing information about scams can help protect others.
- Trust your instincts
If something feels off or seems too good to be true, trust your gut. It’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Safer Internet Day is a reminder of our responsibilities as digital citizens. We must all play a part in creating a safer online environment by being cautious and looking out for one another.
Stay safe and remember the age-old adage - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Take today to spread the word, share these tips to educate others, and foster a culture of internet safety 👇🏼