Live Threat Map
NORTH Wales residents have been urged to remain vigilant when it comes to potential fraud over the festive period.
Most people are online daily whether to shop, carry out online banking or to stay in touch with friends and family.
Although the internet is convenient and more accessible than ever, there are risks associated with its use.
As the sales start, and many people take advantage of special offers and deals online, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and the Economic Crime Unit at North Wales Police have joined forces to call on the public to make a New Year’s resolution to protect themselves from internet-based fraud by following a few simple tips:
Stop – Take your time and think twice before clicking links or opening attachments.
Challenge – If you receive any contact that is unusual or unexpected, contact the individual or organisation to make sure it is genuine.
Check – Check your credit score and bank statements regularly to spot any irregularities.
Criminals regularly target victims who shop online, both as buyers and as sellers, and there is a wide range of tactics criminals use to target their victims.
This fraud type can include fake or cloned websites that are designed to mimic a legitimate company.
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Fraudsters may also set up companies offering inferior or counterfeit goods for sale online at high prices which may include fake reviews or unrealistic claims.
Consumers should be wary of any seller requesting a large deposit or even payment in full direct into their bank account, rather than using PayPal or other similar services.
Criminals can contact their victims by sending official looking emails or text messages that appear to come from legitimate companies and organisations.
These are designed to lure people in by promoting discounts or special offers, requesting they update their account details or advising there is a problem with bills or banking that they need to address.
Clicking on links in fraudulent emails may also result in a computer virus or malware being downloaded onto a person’s device so it is important to be wary, especially if the email or text message is unexpected.
Fraudsters can use social engineering to manipulate people into handing over passwords voluntarily.
They may receive a fraudulent email, text message or visit a fake website with a link, where they will be asked to supply personal information or enter a password.
This information is harvested by the criminals who use it to commit fraud or identity theft.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, said: “Cybercrime is an area of special interest for me, as I am also deputy lead for economic and cybercrime for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
“Unfortunately, if an offer looks too good to be true, it often is. I know that many people are struggling with rising prices at the moment and will be tempted by that great deal online.
“But it’s vital when shopping online, that you take a couple of moments to Stop, Challenge, and Check. If we all follow a few simple tips, we could all save ourselves a lot of trouble further down the line.”
PC Dewi Owen of North Wales Police’s Cybercrime Team, which forms part of North Wales Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Ensuring that the public of North Wales are able to keep themselves safe and secure online and defend themselves from Cybercriminals is very important to us at North Wales Police’s Cybercrime Team.
“We urge everyone to take a few minutes as the New Year approaches to ensure that they have strong passwords on all their accounts.”
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