Beware of scams

Know how to spot a scam 

1. Suspicious, unexpected email or text message with spelling errors and/or doesn’t look right.
2. Message telling you to click on something or provide personal information.
3. Message offering something at an extremely low price or with unbelievable benefits.
4. Someone at the front door insisting that an urgent home repair, e.g., branch removal, needs to be done.
5. Somebody pushing you to act quickly.
6. If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably a scam. 

When online 

1. Never send money or bank details to claim a prize or free products. 

2. Do not open emails or click on links asking for your banking details. Banks never ask for your banking details in emails. Don’t provide banking details in suspicious apps. 

3. Do not provide your banking information by email. 

4. Regularly monitor your account transactions. 

5. Limit the amount and type of personal information you put online.

6. Don’t advertise your holiday plans online.

7. Regularly update your privacy settings.

8. If physically meeting a person you have only met online, choose a public space and bring someone you trust. 

Check the facts 

1. Check the company’s website or a seller’s online profile to confirm an offer is genuine. 

2. Also check the website to ensure that the telephone number and/or email address is genuine. 

3. Only download apps from the official Google Play Store or Apple Store. 

Be cautious with direct contacts 

1. Do not click on any link provided in an unsolicited email. Search for the company by name on the internet and use that web address and/or telephone number.
2. Do not give out personal information on incoming calls. Call the company back using a publicly available number.

Protect yourself 

1. If you get a strange random phone call from a person claiming to be a government agent and telling you that you are a suspect, hang up immediately.
2. Check a person who says they are a government agent, by contacting the agency directly using the phone number or email address from their website.
3. Don’t give your personal information to a person you don’t know.
4. If someone asks you to transfer money over the phone, hang up immediately.
5. If you are not sure about certain calls, emails, or information, do not carry out the other person’s request. Talk to someone you trust or the police.