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Keeping safe from scams
12 July 2021
Scams are all too prevalent, and have even changed form during the pandemic as our daily routines and reliance on online services have changed and increased. Student Funding Adviser Alaa has some advice on what to look out for.
We can all agree that there is nothing more disheartening than finding out you have fallen for a scam. Here is everything you would want to know about scamming.
Spoofing
Spoofing is known as a cyber-crime that happens when someone impersonates a trusted contact or brand, disguising as someone faithful in order to access personal information for their own personal gain.
Types of spoofing include:
- Email spoofing
- Caller ID spoofing
- Website spoofing
- IP address spoofing
- Text message spoofing
- GPS spoofing
- Bank spoofing
Preventing spoofing
1. Stay alert: keep up with any signs of deceit and vigilant against the most common types of spoofing.
2. Hide your IP address: when surfing the web make sure to keep IP hidden to prevent IP spoofing, for example by using a VPN.
3. Change passwords regularly: create strong passwords regularly. If by any chance a spoofer has a hold of any log-in credentials, they won’t be able to do much if you have already made a new password!
4. Check before clicking: always hover over links before clicking to proceed to websites, stick to sites that use the HTTPS encryption.
Bank scams
This might involve impersonation of banks through text messages or calls. Banks can shield their customers from spoof SMS text messages thanks to the the SMS senderID protection registry.
Banks part of the scheme include Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, NatWest, Santander, TSB, Metro Bank, Nationwide, Starling, Bank of Ireland, Danske Bank and First Direct.
Barclays and Danske Bank have already removed phone numbers and links in their SMS messages: making fraud less likely.
Royal Mail scams
These scams look like they are from Royal Mail but are actually in fact fraud or phishing scams. Here are some phishing scams that may seem faithful but are not.
Your package could not be delivered
This email/SMS text message makes you believe you have not paid for delivery therefore your item could not be delivered.
Package rescheduling
A text message that states your package needs to be rescheduled then resumes asking you to click a link. The link forwards you to a scamming site asking for payment.
These are the common scams that are faked and altered to seem like Royal Mail. However they come in dodgy forms, such as unrecognised or international numbers and unauthorised emails that may end up in your junk folder. Look out for these signs, and remember if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't!