Protect yourself from scams with our expert tips for Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It gets earlier every year, doesn’t it? OK, it isn’t one of the big holidays – it’s unlikely you’re going to buy a tree or put up Cybersecurity Awareness Month decorations (and where would you even get them?) – but it is a useful annual reminder that we can all do a little bit more when it comes to our online security.

Online scams pose a big threat, and scammers use a variety of methods online. It can be brutal, horrible and manipulative stuff – and the emotional toil can hit as hard as the financial burden in some cases.

But are we wise to it all now? It seems not. A recent study found that while 69% of people feel confident in spotting scams, 43% still fell victim to scams last year.

Overconfidence can be especially dangerous among the most cyber-aware individuals. Young adults, who may overestimate their skills and underestimate evolving threats, are twice as likely to experience cybercrime compared to the oldest group of internet users.

To help you navigate the web safely, we’ve brought you information about the latest scams and practical tips to stay secure.

Online shopping is our go-to method of purchasing everything from sofas and wardrobes to random stuff that TikTok “made” us buy. But because shopping online is so prevalent, this can sometimes overshadow the risks posed by shady websites and sellers. In a global survey of more than 58,000 respondents, 22% reported encountering shopping scams in 2023 – more than any other scam tactic.

Normally, it’s the suspiciously low (but tempting) discounts on professional looking websites that pull us in. At best, maybe it results in products that look nothing like the pictures. But these fake sites can also compromise your financial information and personal data.

Here’s what you should do when shopping online:

Research the seller before making a purchase. Do due diligence and try to do some background checks on the seller or website. Look for customer reviews and ratings from trusted sources to gauge their reliability. You’d be surprised what even a quick check can discover.

But… remember that reviews and ratings can be faked or bought. Yeah, scammers are getting wise to the background checks. But a security app that screens online stores and their reviews automatically saves you from the trouble of investigating shops. Think of them as a mate reviewing the socials of your potential dating app match (“Hates dogs? Block…”). In that same vein, look for red and green flags.

Ensure the website uses HTTPS encryption. This is when you see the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. It means that your sensitive information during transactions is protected. Do not send any personal details or payments over HTTP, as it can be intercepted by criminals. If there’s no padlock, get out of there.

Exercise caution with unbelievable deals. As everyone’s dad will have said at some point: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust those dads (although press them for details, because there is normally a plotline there). Scammers often lure victims with unrealistically low prices on high-demand items, exploiting their trust.

We’d all like more coin and paper. “Buy high, sell low”. Um, “time is money, people”. And so on. But it’s that Gordon Gekko fantasy of fast and lucrative returns with minimal risk that can cause some of the biggest losses, with victims of investment scams in the US alone reporting more than $4.6 billion in losses.

Crypto scams are also common, where fraudsters disappear with investors’ money after launching fake projects. You’ll also see AI-generated ads falsely featuring well-known figures (everyone from Martin Lewis to Elon Musk). Basically, you should exercise immense caution when it comes to investments.

So, before investing your money, there are crucial steps to take:

Research the credentials of any financial advisor or investment company before committing funds. If the company is legitimate, there should be plenty of information available about it. Really do your homework. If you’re serious about investing, then you need to be serious here. If you can’t find the information, don’t invest.

Be wary of investment opportunities that guarantee high returns with little or no risk. It’s the “Del Boy” principle, except you’re unlikely to end up with a box of Showaddywaddy LPs. Let us be clear: all investments carry some degree of risk. Rates go up and down, as do the markets. Legitimate advisors will inform you about potential risks and rewards – they won’t just tell you to pick out sports cars.

Avoid pressure tactics. This applies to every scam. “If you don’t invest X now, you’ll miss out on Y deal”. It’s tempting, because our brains are driven by impulse, and scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick decisions. But if you truly are ready to invest your hard-earned money, take a beat. Don’t rush. Read everything carefully. And then read it again. Take your time to thoroughly research and validate investment opportunities before making any financial commitments.

Maybe more than ever, social media is the wild west when it comes to scams. Even “verified” accounts – once a reliable source of truth – aren’t always to be trusted. These platforms offer scammers a broad audience and anonymity, and therefore the means, motive and opportunity to create fake profiles and exploit trusting users.

As these are the platforms we now use more than any other – if our boss is reading this, obviously not during work hours – it’s important to embrace your inner sceptic on everything you see. Amongst the cat videos and sunset travel selfies are phishing attempts, fake giveaways and impersonations of friends or celebs.

Here’s how to protect yourself on social media:

Be cautious of friend requests from unfamiliar accounts or profiles with limited activity and personal information. Accepting requests from fake accounts can expose both you and your existing friends to online scams, so be wary of anyone you add to your social circle and remember, there is never any obligation to accept friend requests from strangers.

Do not share personal information, and don’t send money to unknown contacts – even if they claim they are a family member. In a world where we share everything on social media, from latte art and pet pics to breakups and post-breakup glow-ups, if someone asks for personal information or money, take a beat. If something feels off, try to contact the person directly to verify – ideally in person or via video call.

Avoid clicking on links, even if they appear to be from trusted contacts. If you don’t need to click on a link, then don’t. For almost every scenario – pay this, get that offer, learn more about this deal, etc – there’s usually another way to get to that information, like an organisation’s app or a password-protected customer portal. Scammers can compromise accounts and distribute malicious links that lead to phishing sites or malware downloads. Beware of urgency to click links – that’s usually a tell.

Don’t pay up front in social media marketplaces for used goods. Ok, this one might be tricky as even legitimate sellers likely won’t send you stuff without money landing in their account first – they’ll think they’re being scammed. But try to ask for a video or additional photos to prove what they’re selling is genuine. And once again, avoid unbelievable offers.

These are the scams we’re hearing increasingly about in the news, and they are truly heartbreaking. People who think they’ve found a connection or even love, only to have their emotions and trust exploited, usually leading to significant financial losses. In 2022, the median loss in a romance scam was $4,400.

These relationships start through social media or dating and friendship apps (and sometimes even IRL) and can very quickly feel real and intense, due to the amount of “love bombing” that occurs in the initial stages. Then the asks for money come.

Here’s what to do when engaging in online relationships:

Take time to get to know someone before trusting them with personal information. When you’re trying to build a connection, and especially if they seem like they’re all in on the relationship by revealing personal information about themselves, try to hold back and take a breather. Be wary if the relationship progresses very quickly or if the person avoids face-to-face or video interactions. Healthy suspicion is a good thing.

Avoid financial transactions. Because of how these scams operate – often as a “long con” – when the asks for money come, it doesn’t seem so ridiculous. If you care about the person, here’s the chance to show it, right? Well, no. Never send money, gifts or personal details to someone you haven’t met in person, regardless of their emotional appeals or suggested emergencies. Even if you have met IRL, really question everything. It’s not usual to gift money to someone you have only just met.

Seek advice from trusted friends or family members. Sometimes, and especially in relationships, we can’t see the wood for the trees. Your friends and family will always have your back, even if that means telling you some hard truths. Gain perspective on the relationship dynamics, especially if they’re trying to get you to send money or personal information. You might not like what your inner circle tell you, but they’re looking out for you.

It’s never too late to back out. You might be reading this, having already given a person money. But just because you did it once, you don’t need to do it again. In fact, if repeated asks for money and gifts keep coming, that’s even more proof that they’re not really in the relationship for the reasons you are. Seek help as soon as you can.

While all the information we’ve provided so far applies to specific scams, fraudsters are always evolving their tactics. But there are some general rules worth applying in any given situation to recognise a scam before it’s too late.

1. Embrace your inner sceptic

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers love to lure people in with promises of free money, incredible discounts or urgent warnings about account issues. Before clicking on anything or providing personal information, take a step back and ask yourself: does this seem realistic? If there’s even a slight doubt, it’s worth investigating further.

Scams often include links to pages that look identical to real websites – for example, your bank’s login page. Instead of following the link in the message, go directly to the official website through your browser or a trusted phone app. This healthy scepticism can quickly reveal scams.

2. Play detective and investigate small details

Scammers often disguise links and emails to look legitimate. If you feel tempted to click, examine carefully how it’s written. One small typo in an email address or a slightly altered URL can be the difference between safety and a phishing attack. For example, scammers might substitute similar-looking letters with numbers – such as changing “O” to “0” or “l” to “1.”

Always hover over links before clicking to check their actual destination. If you’re unsure, use a security tool to verify link safety before opening. A little detective work can significantly help protect your information and money from scams.

3. Rushing is your enemy, so slow down

One of the most common tactics scammers use is to create a sense of urgency. They want you to act fast – whether it’s a fake bank alert, an overdue bill or a “limited-time offer.” Their goal is to pressure you into acting impulsively.

Don’t rush. Take a breath, read carefully and verify the legitimacy of the message before acting. If someone is pressuring you to act immediately, that’s a major red flag. It’s extremely unlikely that you need to do anything quickly, including transferring money to a “safe account,” verifying personal details, fixing your account balance, or responding to any other urgent excuse scammers create.

4. When in doubt, reach out

If something feels off, don’t engage with the suspicious message or caller directly. Instead, contact the company, bank, or individual through their official website or verified phone number. The best way is to sign into your bank account or user profile directly to check if there are legitimate notifications or alerts.

Also, never use contact details provided within the suspicious message – those could be fake as well. A quick call or email to the real organisation will confirm whether something is legitimate or a scam attempt.

Finally, it’s always smart to ask someone you trust for a second opinion if you encounter something suspicious online. A family member or a friend might notice something important you didn’t.

Even when you’re careful, noticing every single scam red flag can be challenging. While staying alert is crucial, using an all-in-one security system helps you when something might slip by your radar. People fall for scams because scammers are very good at what they do nowadays.

A comprehensive security app like Virgin Media Advanced Security is like your digital bodyguard, quietly protecting you from online trouble. For example, banking protection keeps your money safe, making sure you only deal with real bank sites – not the fake ones scammers love. Browsing protection gently warns you before you stumble onto dangerous websites or phishing links.

Antivirus and malware protection quietly catch sneaky threats like ransomware or spyware in scam emails or downloads. The Advanced Security app even filters SMS messages, blocking suspicious texts before you see them.

With our tips for spotting scams and with our Advanced Security app on your side, avoiding scams becomes much easier, leaving you free to enjoy your time online without stress.