Avoiding Online Scams and Hoaxes

Scam and hoax websites and emails are designed to trick you into disclosing personal information such as bank account details, passwords or credit card numbers.

Be very suspicious of emails from people or businesses you don’t know, particularly ones that promise you money, good health or a solution to all your problems. Anything that looks too good to be true usually is. Be suspicious of unexpected emails from your bank or financial institution. Remember banks don’t do business via email and never ask for confidential information via email.

Scammers put a lot of time and money into making emails and websites look real. Don’t be fooled. Be suspicious and stay safe through these top tips:

• Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Read more on securing you computer.
• Don’t email personal or financial information.
• Don’t reply to email or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information, and don’t click on links in the message or paste a link from the message into your Web browser. (Adapted by Jessy Pearl)

Source: swww.taysmartonline.gov.au