Stay safe online and avoid financial fraud
Here's some great advice from PC Mike Urquhart about online safety and avoiding financial fraud.
More advice can be found at:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/information-for/individuals-families
Whether you’re a parent, step-parent, auntie, uncle or guardian PC Mike Urquhart looks at why it’s important to speak about online safety and financial fraud with children and young people.
It’s important to speak openly and honestly about online safety from an early age. As soon as your child starts using the internet, take an interest in what they’re doing so you can be there to support them.
Understanding social media
The more you know about the social networking sites children are using and what information they like to share, the more likely you’ll be to keep them safe.
When your child joins a social networking site help them to create their profile. Teach your child not to share any personal or banking details – this includes passwords, real name, address and school. Explain that friends should be people they know and that people they meet online may not be who they say they are.
Key terms explained
Fraudsters can take advantage of children as they’re gaining independence and reaching an age where they’d like to have their own bank account.
Phishing
Phishing is when someone tries to get hold of your personal information by sending an email containing a link to a bogus website.
Talk to your child about only clicking on links or opening attachments if they know who they’re from. Make sure the anti-virus software is up to date on your child’s device and if they receive a suspicious email from their bank let the bank know. Banks will never ask you to transfer money to another account.
Vishing
Vishing is when Fraudsters call you on the telephone, impersonating someone from your bank, police, a utility or service provider. They trick you into divulging personal financial information which they then use to gain access to your bank account.
Smishing
Alternatively, fraudsters may contact you by text message – this is known as smishing. You may be sent a text containing a bogus link, or be asked to reply with personal information to a fraudulent number, so make sure your child knows not to respond.
Online shopping scams
If your child has a bank account it’s likely they’ll have a debit card. Fraudsters will often advertise fake products or a bogus service, take your child’s money, but never deliver what was paid for.
Talk to your child about shopping safely online. Advise them to do someresearch before sending money to a private seller or even a legitimate-looking brand. Remind them never to follow links in unexpected emails and to check the spelling in the URL to make sure it’s legitimate.
Free public WiFi
Free public WiFi can be exploited by criminals to intercept your child’s data.
Talk to your child about avoiding making financial transactions and never send personal data to websites while using public WiFi. When using public Wi-Fi fraudsters may intercept anything you’re doing online. They could capture passwords for any account you’re signed into and read your private emails.
Further advice can be found at:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/information-for/individuals-families