Today marks the start of Get Safe Online Week - an annual event which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of online criminals and the simple steps you can take to defeat them and be safe online.
Online crime - or 'cybercrime' - is a growing threat and anyone can be a victim. Online criminals can be someone you know.
Here are Get Safe Online’s ‘if you don't do anything else, do these’ tips about keeping yourself, your family and your bank balance protected.
Put a PIN on it: One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to put a strong PIN or password on a phone, tablet or any kind of online account. Never share your passwords with anyone.
Look for the padlock: When banking or shopping online check for the padlock symbol in the browser window and make sure the web address begins with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.
Log-out and Log-off: When you’ve finished with your online accounts always remember to log out and log off a computer.
If in doubt, don’t click: Never click on a link sent to you from someone you don’t know.
Be software savvy: Protect all your devices with internet security including antivirus and antispyware software and make sure you regularly install updates.
Report it: If you have been a victim of cyber-enabled economic fraud you should report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
If you are a victim of online abuse or harassment you should report it to your local police.
For comprehensive, easy-to-follow, impartial advice on how to stay safe online, take a look around the Get Safe Online website.
Scam Alert – Telephone cold calls attempting to make appointments to sell mobility aids – 17 October 2014
Norfolk County Council Trading Standards are warning residents about telephone cold calls claiming they have received a referral to contact you from your doctor. The cold caller will then attempt to make an appointment to visit your home to sell mobility aids.
Our colleagues at Suffolk Trading Standards are aware that residents in and around the Halesworth area have been targeted and there is the possibility that these calls could also be targeting Norfolk residents.
Trading Standards advises all residents to be very wary of any offer made during a telephone cold call and never commit to salespersons visits, buy items or make investments if you are approached this way.
If you receive one of these cold calls or have agreed to for a salesperson to visit following a cold call contact our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Business/Trad ... /index.htm