Royal Greenwich Alerts Residents About Internet Scammers With `Get Safe Online' Campaign

* Cllr Jackie Smith

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

Millions of people in the UK are defrauded by internet and phone scams every year – and the council is urging everyone to be aware of the tricksters.

The Get Safe Online campaign reminds residents of the pitfalls to look out for when they are contacted by email, posts or texts. Just opening an unexpected attachment on an email can give fraudsters access to your personal details.

Phone calls from strangers asking for your financial or personal details can be equally risky.

The campaign gives some tips to avoid online and phone scams:

* Never give out personal or financial data such as user names, passwords, PINs or memorable phrases.

* If you are supplying payment card or other confidential information, be careful that the person or organisation is genuine - a bank or retailer will not ask for your password or PIN.

* If you are asked to end the call and to phone your bank or card provider, use a different phone or wait for five minutes to make sure the line has not been left open; call the number on your bank statement or card.

* Do not open email attachments from unknown sources as they may contain malware such as viruses and other ‘hostile’ software. Delete them straight away.

* Don’t click on links in emails from senders you don’t know.

Councillor Jackie Smith, Royal Borough of Greenwich cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: “It is all too easy to be taken in by people who seem plausible but the Get Safe Online advice is simple: think twice before you act. It is better to be over-cautious than risk being conned.”

If you have been a victim of banking fraud or you are suspicious of activity on your account, contact your bank straight away.

You can report any fraud to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting

www.actionfraud.police.uk.

More safety tips are available at www.getsafeonline.org.