Police issue advice against online fraud

Cumbria Police are advising people to take simple steps to help prevent online fraud, as part of a week-long cybercrime campaign.

There are a number of ways that criminals can access your personal details to commit identity fraud or steal money. One type of fraud that Cumbria Police have recently seen increasing is ‘romance fraud’.

Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery explains:

“The internet is a definitely a key target for fraudsters due to the sheer amount of personal and financial information people now provide online. The internet has made shopping, banking and communicating easier than ever – but there is a dark side to the internet that people need to protect themselves against.

“One area of online fraud we have seen an increase in is romance fraud – where offenders target vulnerable, often elderly, people through dating websites. One typical scam involves women being contacted by people pretending to be from the armed forces abroad, who ask for money. We have seen people lose hundreds of thousands of pounds through scams like these.

“I would urge anyone who uses the internet to take precautions when giving out any information online.”

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said:

“I fully support this initiative. At a time when the internet is playing a central role in people’s personal and business lives, I believe it is essential that everyone takes the necessary precautions to help keep themselves safe from this type of crime.”

Below are some simple steps to help keep you safe online:

• Do not give out any personal information (e.g. name, address, bank details etc.) before verifying the credentials of who is asking.

• Beware of phishing emails. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not ask you to click on a link in an email and confirm your bank details. If in doubt call your bank from their number – which can be found on official correspondence, their official website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book.

• Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring, to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.

• Sign-up to ‘Verified by Visa’ or ‘MasterCard Secure Code’ whenever you are given the option online. This means registering a password with your card company, which means an additional layer of security to online purchases (with signed-up retailers).

• Be very wary of emails offering you business deals out of the blue – if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For advice about fraud, or to report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 3040.

For more information about staying safe online please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/onlinesafety

More internet safety advice can be found on the Government’s ‘Cyberstreet’ website: www.cyberstreetwise.com