Information Bulletin
Beware of Fraudulent E-mails
Have you received an email telling you that money you weren’t expecting has been deposited in a bank account you didn’t know you had?
If so, you’re just one of the many people on the receiving end of phishing scams. These try to get us to divulge personal details, often by directing us to bogus websites which look like the real thing.
So how can you protect yourself and your money?
First, don’t respond or reply.
Second, if such an email claims to be from a company which you recognise (perhaps your bank, or an internet shop with which you have previously done business), don’t click through any hyperlinks (these may well lead you to a spoof website set up to impersonate the real site). Instead, report the email to the company.
Third, make sure your computer security is adequate and up to date – secure firewalls and anti-virus protection can help to protect you and your data.
Above all, guard your personal details. Never disclose your name, address, telephone number, date of birth, passport or driving licence number, credit card or bank details, security numbers or passwords (or any other similarly valuable information) in response to unsolicited emails, pop-ups or web pages. A genuine contact from a reputable business will not ask you to compromise your security.
And remember: "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!"
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