ONLINE SAFETY POST: Scam emails

WEEKLY ONLINE SAFETY POST: SCAM EMAILS

This is a really important reminder to us all. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to always remember that an email I receive in my inbox might not always be genuine. We are often in a rush and can easily be tricked by scam emails, especially as fraudsters are aware that many of us are working more and more online due to the pandemic.

Email scams are when you receive an email from someone pretending to be a genuine person or company, but is actually an online fraudster trying to trick you into disclosing personal information. This is often referred to as ‘phishing’.

Normally, people click on the links in an email assuming that they will be directed to a trustworthy website – but fake sites, closely resembling the real thing, are increasingly being set up by cyber criminals specifically to capture your personal information, which could, in turn, jeopardise your financial, emotional and possibly even physical wellbeing.

In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as viruses, financial damage and personal safety.

Please have these conversations with your children but also friends and family, especially less 'tech savvy' people who might struggle with this.