Advice on how to protect yourself from scams
Advice on how to protect yourself from scams
There are some simple steps people can take to protect themselves from scams:
Don’t be rushed into making any decisions. It’s okay to take your time.
Never give money or personal details, like passwords or bank details, to anyone you don’t know, trust or have only met online. If someone pressures you for these, it’s most likely a scam.
Before you buy anything, check the company or website you’re using. Read reviews from different websites, search for the company’s details on Companies House, and take a look at their terms and conditions.
Pay by debit or credit card. This gives you extra protection if things go wrong.
Be suspicious. Scammers can be very smart. They can appear like a trusted business or government official, have a professional website and say all the right things. Take your time to work out if this is a real organisation. Contact the organisation on a number you know and trust. Don’t fall for a fake ID.
Make sure your antivirus software is up to date.
Keep your online accounts secure. Use a strong password for email accounts that you don’t use anywhere else.
If you’re not sure about something, get advice from a trusted source.
Use the Which Trusted Trader website
