Watch Out For Email Scams Phishing For Your Details
warns Peter Clarke of PC PAL
Many of my customers have asked me about seemingly innocent emails requiring them to click links to update their details. Think twice before doing anything - a recent Which? article warned of the most common email scams following a survey which found 95% of respondents had received such phishing emails.
- Bank scam - These emails usually say there is a problem with your account and you need to update details via email or clicking on a link they provide. Fraudsters can then hack your account and steal your money - never click on these links, call your bank or go directly to its website
- Paypal scam - These also sometimes ask you to click on links to update your details or request you to download attachments and install software. If you want to check your account go directly to the Paypal website - delete these emails and never click on the links
- Tax rebate - Emails claiming to be from HMRC say that you have overpaid tax and you only have to click on 'refund me now' to receive your money. One slight problem with this - HMRC never send notifications of a tax refund or ask you to disclose personal or payment information by email. Delete these emails
- Money for services or help - These can look like cries for help from friends or offers of low investment and high returns. On the whole, anything that looks too good to be true usually is. If a friend is in trouble would they really contact you by email? Call them and find out.
If you receive any emails asking you to click on a link - don't! Go to the website directly and delete these emails.
If you need some help with this, want to find out how you can filter these emails out before they reach your inbox or want to discuss how to stay safe on the internet don’t hesitate to call me.
