PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST FRAUD AND CYBER CRIMES

Fraud can happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Have you received a few fraudulent emails, ambiguous phone calls, encountered fake online ads, questionable posts on social networking sites? Although fraud comes in many forms, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from the crime and avoid becoming a victim! 

 

Photo Courtesy (www.techinasia.com)

1. Do not give any personal information (name, address, bank details, email or phone number) to organisations or people before verifying their credentials. 

2. Many frauds start with a phishing email. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such emails, even if they look genuine. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar) or the phone book to check if you’re not sure.

Photo Courtesy (leics.police.uk)

3. Destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card details on and post with your name and address. Identity fraudsters don’t need much information in order to be able to clone your identity.

4. Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes.

5. Sign-up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.

6. If you receive bills, invoices or receipts for things you haven’t bought, or financial institutions you don’t normally deal with contact you about outstanding debts, take action. Your identity may have been stolen.

7. You should regularly get a copy of your credit cards statements and check it for entries you don’t recognize. 

 8. Be extremely wary of posts, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it.

9. If you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the money you’ve already lost.

10. If you need advice about fraud, call the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Fraud Squad at 623-2644; 625-2310; 652-8594 to discuss your situation with one of the highly trained fraud officers.