Warwickshire News Mine

Phishing involves email or pop-up messages that claim to be from a business or organisation you may deal with, for example, an internet service provider, bank or online payment service. The message asks you to ‘update’, ‘validate’ or ‘confirm’ your account information.

The messages direct you to a website that looks legitimate. But it’s a bogus site that exists simply to trick you into revealing your personal information so the operators can steal your identity.

Phishers are becoming more savvy, attempting to catch both business and individuals on their trawls of the net. Banks, building societies, auction web sites, social networking sites and even HMRC have been used as bait in recent phishing attempts.

Phishing scams reported to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service in week one of “Scamnesty” include bank phishing scams, money transfer scams and inheritance scams.

Avoid becoming a victim of a Phishing Scam by following these simple rules:
Treat all email with suspicion – If you suspect an email to be fraudulent – delete it, do not open it.

* Keep passwords & PIN numbers secret. 
* Never use a link in an email to get to any web page. If you must go there, type the web address directly into your browser’s address bar. Phishers can make links look like they go to a genuine site, but then actually take you to a look-alike site.
* Never send personal or financial information to any one via email.
* Regularly log into your online accounts – don’t leave it for as long as a month before you check each account.
* Scrutinise your bank, credit and debit card statements and ensure that all transactions are legitimate. If anything is suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
* Ensure that all of your software is up to date and that you have antivirus software and a firewall installed.
* If you do become a victim of fraud then:
* Notify your bank or building society.
* File a report with the police.
* Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial adviser how to do this.
* Change the passwords or PIN numbers on all your on-line accounts.

February is National Scams Awareness month and Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is encouraging Warwickshire residents to take part in “Scamnesty”.  Let us know if you’ve been the victim of an attempted phishing scam by Emailing details to tsnews@warwickshire.gov.uk

Or if you’ve been the victim of any other scam such as bogus lottery wins, prize draw letters or received suspect telephone calls send the details to us at:

SCAMNESTY
Warwickshire County Council
Trading Standards Service
Old Budbrooke Road
Warwick
CV35 7DP

Link to WCC