Fake websites
Should you come across a website with numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes, or with lots of pop-ups and banners – it’s probably not legit and it’s advisable you don’t give out any valuable information on it. Similarly, if you come face-to-face with any pop-ups telling you that you need to download software you’ve never heard of, close the window and try not to visit the site again.
Tips from Paypal on how to spot a spoof website:
1. Deceptive web addresses (URLs)
Some fraudsters will insert a fake browser address bar over the real one, making it appear that you’re on a legitimate website. The term ‘https’ should precede any web address (or URL) where you enter personal information. The “s” stands for secure. If you don’t see “https,” you’re not in a secure web session and you should not enter any personal data.
2. Out-of-place lock icon
Make sure there is a secure lock icon in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window. Many fake sites will put this icon elsewhere on the page to deceive you.
3. Logo, design and type
The brand logo, design and fonts used on a fraudulent web page may look obviously wrong or out-of-place, but some fake websites have a very professional design which closely mimics the original site, so use the tips above to determine whether a site is genuine or not.
How can I protect myself?
1. The most important thing to do is protect your computer
Install the latest software versions of anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall. A firewall acts as a barrier blocking unauthorised access and viruses from the internet.
You can dramatically reduce your vulnerability to internet scammers and hackers by installing simple security software on your computer. A free anti-virus programme can protect you against viruses, Trojans and worms (self-installing programmes that can damage your PC) and other users logging on to your computer and accessing your files.
You can get a FREE Anti-Virus programme to give you full internet security, such as AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast! or Panda downloadable software. Anita can advise on what’s best for your type of computer.
2. Web browsers
The most commonly used web browser is Internet Explorer (the default browser you see when you purchase your new computer or laptop). However, you can choose to use other browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Whichever you use, make sure your version is always kept up to date. For example, Internet Explorer is provided by Microsoft and so the latest service pack for this browser can be installed directly from the Microsoft website.
3. Check your credit report!
Identity fraud – where fraudsters take out credit cards or loans in your name – is the fastest growing crime in the UK. And it’s not always easy to find out if you’ve had your identity stolen, unless you check your credit report.
You’ll be able to see straight away if anything has been set up in your name which isn’t yours, or spot any unusual activity – then you can take action against the fraudsters. Credit Expert offers a 30-day free trial where you can view and update your report, though if you’re particularly concerned, you can pay a small monthly fee for continued access to your report.
4. Look out for the little padlock
Every time you enter any form of bank account information online, look out for the little padlock on the bottom right side of your web browser. This padlock means that the website is secure, and can’t be accessed by any third parties, so your information is safe from prying eyes.
If at any point you are asked to enter bank details, make sure you can see the padlock otherwise your details can easily be accessed. You should be taken to a secure server (the URL should start https://www).
5. Don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know
If you receive an email from someone you’ve never even heard of, or that looks particularly dodgy (trying to sell you Viagra or get your bank details, for example), delete it immediately.
The attachments will probably contain harmful files that can seriously damage your computer, or even help scammers access your personal details.
6. Think before giving out your details
Before you give out any information about yourself online – even your name – think who wants that information and what they might be able to do with it. Make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to give the company your details.
For example, a legitimate survey website has every reason to ask you your age, but a “bargain offer” pop-up asking for it is highly questionable.
7. You can’t really make £1,000s in a day
A successful business requires time, effort and perseverance – companies telling you otherwise are usually lying.
Recently, there have been a lot of emails telling people they can make £1,000s a week from filling out surveys at home – providing they pay an initial fee and then a subscription. Don’t fall for it – no legitimate market research should ask you to pay to take part.
Instead, use a tried and tested survey site like Panelbase and take a look at this article about taking part in online surveys for more information. Anything telling you that you can make large amounts of money in short amounts of time is shady and should be avoided at all costs.
8. Beware of ‘cash prizes’ and ‘free gifts’
As tempting as it might be to give out your bank account details to collect the £1,000,000 cash prize you’ve been sent in an email (even though you didn’t enter any competitions) – don’t do it!
Companies advertising free gifts will normally be referral sites, where you have to purchase one of their products, or use one of their services, then get loads of your friends to sign up and purchase a product. Then you will get the free gift if you’re lucky, and it is very often of lesser value than the service you’ve had to pay for.
If at any point you find yourself looking at an email, pop-up or advert telling you you’ve won a cash prize, ignore it (or delete it if it’s an email). People just don’t give money away for nothing, and you can’t win prizes for competitions that you’ve never entered.
If you’ve been “automatically” entered into a competition then ask yourself how this company got your details, and why would they enter you into this competition. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
Top Tips
Never log onto your bank account in an internet café or public library
Don’t click on any links in an e-mail which suggest they lead to your bank or any other account such as with a supermarket. Instead, only go to your bank account or supermarket account by directly going through your browser.
Check any social networking sites that you’ve joined and use the security settings to restrict access – your date of birth, address, full name and place of birth can be all that’s needed to steal your identity so keep any personal info to a real minimum
If there’s a website you want to make a purchase from, check their credentials for free first with 192.com – that way you can verify that it’s a genuine company or individual by checking their contact details are real.
Getsafeonline.org offers advice on keeping your details private on social networks.
If you sell an old computer, ask an expert to wipe any personal details from the hard-drive first of all.
Do not use the same password for several online accounts.
Choose a password with a combination of letters and numbers to make it more difficult to guess.
Should you come across a website with numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes, or with lots of pop-ups and banners – it’s probably not legit and it’s advisable you don’t give out any valuable information on it. Similarly, if you come face-to-face with any pop-ups telling you that you need to download software you’ve never heard of, close the window and try not to visit the site again.
Tips from Paypal on how to spot a spoof website:
1. Deceptive web addresses (URLs)
Some fraudsters will insert a fake browser address bar over the real one, making it appear that you’re on a legitimate website. The term ‘https’ should precede any web address (or URL) where you enter personal information. The “s” stands for secure. If you don’t see “https,” you’re not in a secure web session and you should not enter any personal data.
2. Out-of-place lock icon
Make sure there is a secure lock icon in the status bar at the bottom of the browser window. Many fake sites will put this icon elsewhere on the page to deceive you.
3. Logo, design and type
The brand logo, design and fonts used on a fraudulent web page may look obviously wrong or out-of-place, but some fake websites have a very professional design which closely mimics the original site, so use the tips above to determine whether a site is genuine or not.
How can I protect myself?
1. The most important thing to do is protect your computer
Install the latest software versions of anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall. A firewall acts as a barrier blocking unauthorised access and viruses from the internet.
You can dramatically reduce your vulnerability to internet scammers and hackers by installing simple security software on your computer. A free anti-virus programme can protect you against viruses, Trojans and worms (self-installing programmes that can damage your PC) and other users logging on to your computer and accessing your files.
You can get a FREE Anti-Virus programme to give you full internet security, such as AVG, Microsoft Security Essentials, Avast! or Panda downloadable software. Anita can advise on what’s best for your type of computer.
2. Web browsers
The most commonly used web browser is Internet Explorer (the default browser you see when you purchase your new computer or laptop). However, you can choose to use other browsers such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Whichever you use, make sure your version is always kept up to date. For example, Internet Explorer is provided by Microsoft and so the latest service pack for this browser can be installed directly from the Microsoft website.
3. Check your credit report!
Identity fraud – where fraudsters take out credit cards or loans in your name – is the fastest growing crime in the UK. And it’s not always easy to find out if you’ve had your identity stolen, unless you check your credit report.
You’ll be able to see straight away if anything has been set up in your name which isn’t yours, or spot any unusual activity – then you can take action against the fraudsters. Credit Expert offers a 30-day free trial where you can view and update your report, though if you’re particularly concerned, you can pay a small monthly fee for continued access to your report.
4. Look out for the little padlock
Every time you enter any form of bank account information online, look out for the little padlock on the bottom right side of your web browser. This padlock means that the website is secure, and can’t be accessed by any third parties, so your information is safe from prying eyes.
If at any point you are asked to enter bank details, make sure you can see the padlock otherwise your details can easily be accessed. You should be taken to a secure server (the URL should start https://www).
5. Don’t open email attachments from people you don’t know
If you receive an email from someone you’ve never even heard of, or that looks particularly dodgy (trying to sell you Viagra or get your bank details, for example), delete it immediately.
The attachments will probably contain harmful files that can seriously damage your computer, or even help scammers access your personal details.
6. Think before giving out your details
Before you give out any information about yourself online – even your name – think who wants that information and what they might be able to do with it. Make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to give the company your details.
For example, a legitimate survey website has every reason to ask you your age, but a “bargain offer” pop-up asking for it is highly questionable.
7. You can’t really make £1,000s in a day
A successful business requires time, effort and perseverance – companies telling you otherwise are usually lying.
Recently, there have been a lot of emails telling people they can make £1,000s a week from filling out surveys at home – providing they pay an initial fee and then a subscription. Don’t fall for it – no legitimate market research should ask you to pay to take part.
Instead, use a tried and tested survey site like Panelbase and take a look at this article about taking part in online surveys for more information. Anything telling you that you can make large amounts of money in short amounts of time is shady and should be avoided at all costs.
8. Beware of ‘cash prizes’ and ‘free gifts’
As tempting as it might be to give out your bank account details to collect the £1,000,000 cash prize you’ve been sent in an email (even though you didn’t enter any competitions) – don’t do it!
Companies advertising free gifts will normally be referral sites, where you have to purchase one of their products, or use one of their services, then get loads of your friends to sign up and purchase a product. Then you will get the free gift if you’re lucky, and it is very often of lesser value than the service you’ve had to pay for.
If at any point you find yourself looking at an email, pop-up or advert telling you you’ve won a cash prize, ignore it (or delete it if it’s an email). People just don’t give money away for nothing, and you can’t win prizes for competitions that you’ve never entered.
If you’ve been “automatically” entered into a competition then ask yourself how this company got your details, and why would they enter you into this competition. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
Top Tips
Never log onto your bank account in an internet café or public library
Don’t click on any links in an e-mail which suggest they lead to your bank or any other account such as with a supermarket. Instead, only go to your bank account or supermarket account by directly going through your browser.
Check any social networking sites that you’ve joined and use the security settings to restrict access – your date of birth, address, full name and place of birth can be all that’s needed to steal your identity so keep any personal info to a real minimum
If there’s a website you want to make a purchase from, check their credentials for free first with 192.com – that way you can verify that it’s a genuine company or individual by checking their contact details are real.
Getsafeonline.org offers advice on keeping your details private on social networks.
If you sell an old computer, ask an expert to wipe any personal details from the hard-drive first of all.
Do not use the same password for several online accounts.
Choose a password with a combination of letters and numbers to make it more difficult to guess.