Fraud
Internet Fraud
While the internet has opened up many opportunities for law abiding citizens it has also presented fraudsters with new ways of committing fraud, often committing crime which crosse international borders, and able to hide their true identities and geographical whereabouts.
Shopping and banking safely on line
Handy hints
When you are on-line bear in mind these handy hints which will enable you to shop and bank with confidence:
Use a computer that you know is secure i.e. has up to date anti virus software and a firewall installed.
Beware of using internet cafes or public computers for financial transactions and internet banking.
Only shop at secure websites - check that the unbroken padlock symbol is showing before sending your card details and that the beginning of the retailers internet address has changed from http to https (which indicates a secure site).
Shop only on sites that you trust, for example companies that you know or sites that have been recommended to you by a trusted source.
Keep a record of any transaction you make - preferably print it out. Understand what you are paying for, know the merchant's refund policy and delivery conditions and have the merchant's postal address.
Keep PIN's, passwords and personal information safe. Be wary of any e-mails asking you to click on a link or confirm your details. Remember that reputable retailers, banks and the police will never ask you to disclose or confirm sensitive personal or security information. If you have any concerns about information that you have been asked to submit on line you should phone the organisation concerned on a number advertised elsewhere to check.
Make sure that you keep your cards and card details safe in the real world - most internet, phone and mail order fraud happens because card details have been stolen in the real world and then used in the virtual world.
Additional security for cardholders and retailers when shopping on-line
Register for Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure code to protect yourself against online fraud
Both Visa and Mastercard have introduced secure payment systems for safer on-line transactions, and an increasing number of on-line retailers are joining the schemes. See Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure Code for details of how to register your cards, or ask your card issuer. These schemes offer an additional layer of protection for both cardholder and retailer in on-line transactions. Even if you never shop on-line it is worth registering your card. That way, if someone steals your card or card details they will be unable to use them to shop at participating on-line retailers as they will not know the unique password that you will have registered. Additional information for both cardholders and retailers is on the card industry Shopsafeonline website
Phishing
Phishing is sending emails which falsely claim to originate from banks, asking customers to re-register or 're-activate' their accounts at a replica bank website, with the aim of using the information provided to transfer money out of these accounts. The e-mail may look convincing, as though it has genuinely come from a bank, and it may even be personally addressed to you.
To protect yourself against phishing never click on links in e-mails that appear to come from your bank or credit card company and which ask you to confirm your financial details. Although your bank may contact you by e-mail it will never ask you for sensitive personal and financial details.
For more information visit the Bank Safe Online website where incidences of phishing may also be reported.
Money Mules
Another on-line scam which people may fall victim to is a money laundering practice where people may be duped into acting as what is known as a "money mule".
Having been recruited by fraudsters, money mules receive funds into their accounts which they then send overseas using a wire transfer service, minus a commission payment. This scam launders the money that fraudsters have obtained from phishing and other scams.
Money mules are recruited by a variety of methods, including spam emails, adverts on genuine recruitment web sites, approaches to people who have their CVs available online, instant messaging and adverts in newspapers.
Taking part in this process is illegal and if you do become involved you could find that you come under investigation by the police. If you supply personal financial details to the fraudsters that operate these money mule scams you will also be at risk of identity theft. See the Bank Safe Online website for further details or to report receipt of money mule recruitment e-mails.
Last update: Thursday, May 22, 2008