Scammers are constantly devising new ways to trick people into handing over their personal and financial information. From phishing emails to fake phone calls, their tactics often rely on urgency and fear to manipulate victims.
By staying informed and following simple security measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams. This article outlines six easy and effective ways to protect yourself from fraud.
1. Beware of Urgent Requests
One of the most common tactics scammers use is creating a sense of urgency. They might claim your bank account is compromised and that you must transfer money immediately to a “safe” account—which actually belongs to the fraudster.
According to security experts, phishing emails often contain words like “urgent” to pressure victims into acting quickly.
To protect yourself:
- Always take a moment to assess the situation before responding.
- Verify the request by contacting your bank directly using a known official number.
- Never share personal details or move funds based on an unsolicited call, text, or email.
2. Be Cautious with Online Interactions
Scammers frequently exploit social media and online platforms to target victims. Barclays reports that 75% of scams originate from social media and tech platforms.
Common online scams include:
- Fake Shopping Deals: Fraudsters create fake ads on Facebook and Instagram, selling high-value items at discounted prices.
- “Hi Mum” Scams: Criminals impersonate family members on WhatsApp or SMS, claiming they need urgent financial help.
To stay safe:
- Always verify messages from family and friends by calling them directly.
- Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Only shop from reputable websites with secure payment options.
3. Scrutinize Emails and Messages
Phishing scams often involve emails and texts that look legitimate but contain subtle differences.
Signs of phishing attempts:
- Email addresses that contain slight misspellings or extra characters.
- Messages filled with grammatical errors or awkward phrasing.
- Unexpected attachments or links that prompt you to enter personal information.
Before clicking on any link or downloading attachments:
- Hover over links to check their real destination.
- Cross-check emails with official websites.
- When in doubt, contact the organization directly through their official channels.
4. Hang Up on Suspicious Calls
Many scams begin with an unexpected phone call. Fraudsters may pose as bank representatives, government officials, or tech support agents.
To protect yourself:
- Never provide personal or financial information over the phone.
- Hang up and call the company back using a verified number.
- Be aware that scammers can “spoof” official phone numbers, making it look like a legitimate entity is calling.
According to Age UK, scammers can keep a phone line open even after you hang up. To ensure your line is secure:
- Use a different phone to call someone else first.
- Wait at least 10–15 minutes before making another call.
5. Use Call Screening and Blocking Features
Blocking scam calls is an effective way to reduce fraudulent contact attempts. Consumer advocacy group Which? recommends various services to help screen and block calls.
Options include:
- BT Call Protect: Automatically diverts suspected scam calls to a junk voicemail box.
- Sky Talk Shield: A free call-screening service for Sky Broadband and Sky Talk customers.
- TalkTalk CallSafe: A similar service that blocks unwanted calls.
For mobile phones:
- Activate built-in caller ID and spam protection features.
- On iPhones, enable “Silence Unknown Callers” to block numbers not in your contacts.
- Use the “Filter Unknown Senders” setting to move messages from unknown numbers to a separate folder.
- Register your number with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce cold calls.
6. Protect Your Computer and Online Accounts
Cybercriminals often target computers and online accounts to steal sensitive data.
To safeguard your devices:
- Keep operating systems and apps updated.
- Use built-in security tools like Windows Security for Windows 11 and macOS’s security features.
- Avoid downloading software from unverified sources.
- Enable automatic browser updates to protect against malware.
Strengthen Your Online Accounts:
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.
Conclusion
Scammers rely on panic, deception, and urgency to trick victims. By following these six simple steps—questioning urgent requests, staying cautious online, scrutinizing emails, being wary of phone calls, using call-blocking tools, and securing your computer—you can greatly reduce your risk of being scammed. Stay alert, stay skeptical, and always double-check before taking action.
For more tips on avoiding online scams, visit Action Fraud.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.