Phishing for Love
With Valentines Day fast approaching Warwickshire Trading Standards Service and the OFT are warning people looking for love to beware of Internet Dating Scams that can leave you heart-broken and out of pocket.
As part of Scams Awareness month, the Trading Standards Service is warning people that the increased potential to meet new people online is being used by scammers to gain trust and con people out of their money.
Scammers target singles columns and dating websites to search for potential victims. They create fictitious online profiles or send out unsolicited emails or letters, often with fake photographs. Scammers use the trust gained to persuade victims to part with large sums, with some frauds going on for years. This typically involves saying they would like to meet you but are stranded and don’t have money to travel or cover visa costs. They may also say that they or a family member require urgent treatment for an illness.
Top Tips for Online Dating:
* Choose a well-run, reputable online dating service which will provide some additional safety. For example, look for a site that will protect your anonymity until you choose to reveal personal information
* Don’t post personal information. Wait until you feel comfortable with an individual before telling them things like your phone number or place of work or address.
* Never give out your bank account details or any other financial information Keep passwords and PIN numbers safe - Always be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls asking you to disclose any personal details or card numbers. Keep this information secret. Be wary of disclosing any personal information to someone you don’t know.
* Don’t let anyone pressure you into giving away more information than you want to
* Beware of solicitation – watch out for anyone offering financial advice or asking for charitable contributions. If you receive any requests for money, be suspicious, even if you have known the person for a number of weeks.
* Even if you’re arranging to meet someone, do not give out any unnecessary personal details such as your home address
* If you feel unsure or threatened by someone’s behavior, stop contact with them immediately
* If you meet somebody unknown to you, always meet in a public place and take a friend with you for support if you are unsure.
* Keep your PC secure - Use up-to-date anti-virus software, security patches and a personal firewall. Be extra careful if using Internet cafes or any PC which is not your own and over which you have no control.
While focusing on finding themselves a partner, however, many people let their guard down, forgetting about their personal security and making themselves easy targets for fraudsters and scam artists.
Targeted email Valentine scams are also doing the rounds, attempting to lure customers onto fake websites offering bogus presents. Flowers, chocolates and other gifts in scam sites route internet users to malware-infected and payment and-harvesting websites.
New technology has enabled us all to be more creative and express ourselves over the internet, publishing information, photos, and even videos – turning some people into “celebrities”. Social networking sites may be great fun but be careful about what you post online this Valentines Day! Information maybe used in identity fraud and has serious consequences - criminals look for opportunities everywhere and the internet is no exception.
Further information can be found on our website:
http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards or
http://www.getsafeonline.org