Partner Article

7 tips to help prevent online fraud, which cost Yorkshire nearly £18 million in 1 year

With 58,000 online frauds and scams which are reported each year £216m in the last 12 months and the cost to the Yorkshire and Humber region itself is £18,070,366 , it has never been more important to protect yourself and your business from online fraud.

Action Fraud UK, the national reporting centre for financial crime reports that 41% of all calls made to Action Fraud are reporting cybercrime.

Fraudsters use malicious software known as ‘ransomware’ to target internet users and dupe them into handing over money. Tactics include using the ransomware to encrypt and block files on a user’s computer before demanding money to unlock them.

AvoidOnlineScams.net is a free online resource that offers impartial advice to consumers who have been targeted and scammed. It has been developed by online cash payment provider, Ukash to help internet users fight back against the increasingly sophisticated tactics deployed by international cyber criminals.

David Cox, Head of Customer Experience for Ukash commented, “We’ve seen a sharp rise in online ransomware scams in the last 12 months, with many internet users feeling powerless to prevent it happening to them.

“We also noticed that there was no single, central hub of expert advice and information available online to help those most affected.

“We’ve therefore created the site in partnership with Action Fraud, Europol and major internet security companies so it is completely impartial and draws on the best advice from around the web, including the Home Office’s new ‘Be Cyber Streetwise’ campaign.

“I’d recommend all internet users check out the site as prevention is better than the cure. The nation being more clued-up to the latest ransomware scams is the only way we’ll defeat this global problem.”

1. Always check that your internet connection is secure, by looking for ’https’, rather than ’http’, at the front of the web url in your address bar

2. Never share your bank account details with anyone

3. Don’t give out personal information, such as date of birth, address and passwords

4. Look for a padlock icon, in the locked position, in the top right or bottom right hand corner of your screen

5. Be very wary if someone asks you for money - scam emails from people pretending they are in trouble and need financial assistance are particularly prevalent

6. Beware of ‘phishing’ emails which ask for your personal information. Genuine companies will not ask for these details by email, so don’t click any link or provide any details

7.Protect your computer by installing anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software – and remember to keep it up-to-date

Check www.ukash.com and http://Avoidonlinescams.net/ for the latest information about scams

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .