Monday 7 November 2011

Police in Cumbria are urging web users to increase their security and stay safe online.

Officers have pledged their support to national ‘Get Safe Online Week’, which runs from Monday the 7th to Friday the 11th of November, and aims to encourage people to learn more about internet fraud and make sure their computer is properly protected.

Throughout the week, Cumbria Police will be posting online safety advice on their Twitter account, and publishing tips, videos and examples of online fraud on their website and Facebook pages to raise awareness of the issue.

As well as posting advice, officers will also take questions from their Twitter followers and provide safety advice on topics such as shopping online, identity theft, protecting your PC and how to help individuals and smaller businesses make responsible choices when using the Internet.

Cumbria Constabulary’s Deputy Chief Constable, Stuart Hyde, said: “It is important that people in Cumbria understand online risks and the simple steps that can be taken to protect themselves from becoming a victim of crime.

“People can be lulled into a false sense of security when making purchases online because it is so easy, but we need to be vigilant with our bank accounts and with any purchases we make online. Use a variety of passwords that would be difficult to guess, check your bank account regularly to spot unusual activity early, and remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.

“It is important to be aware of the risks now, before you starting to make all of your Christmas purchases, as online fraudsters hide behind their computer screens and can steal somebody’s life savings without ever coming into contact with them.

“Thankfully, identity fraud is not a major problem in Cumbria, so help us keep it that way by being security conscious online.”

Financial investigators have joined forces with Action Fraud who provide a dedicated service to detecting and preventing fraud in Cumbria and the UK.

For more information about Get Safe Online Week and how to ask your questions go to http://www.cumbria.police.uk/safeonline or follow Cumbria Police on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cumbriapolice

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