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Please remain vigilant whilst online or answering the phone

Alert message sent 23/02/2021 15:44:00

Information sent on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch Scotland

The following information is being circulated on behalf of Police Scotland

Police in Ayrshire are reminding people to remain vigilant whilst online and when we take calls and use the phone following an increase in reported incidents.

With so much of our daily lives now online, ranging from education, banking, shopping and social networking, to name but a few, criminals too are moving online.

Criminals will contact victims in various ways, through emails claiming to be from reputable companies or organisations, to sending messages to you after you have visited a website or providing insecure links and pops up for you to enter your personal information.

East Ayrshire Safer Communities Officer, PC Hannaford-Bennett said, “It is important to remember that if it is illegal offline, then it is illegal online. This includes posting anything which promotes crime, making threats against you online or attempts to force you to pay money to prevent your personal information or images being posted or shared.”

“Criminals are targeting people through online scams. Take a moment and think if you have received an email stating that you have won a holiday, yet you haven’t entered a competition. An email from a company saying you need to update your payment details by clicking a link or an email from a company you don’t recognise with a link to enter your details.”

“Victims are also being contacted in a variety of methods by fraudsters and being told they owe an outstanding debt or they have a problem with their internet. Anyone can be fooled as these people are clever and cunning and can often catch you off guard."

"If you receive a phone call or an email which has come out of the blue, if they are telling you to respond quickly, to keep it a secret and asking you to send money, this is a scam. If you’re not sure about a caller – keep your business, your business, just say you aren’t interested and hang up or if you aren’t sure about an email, before acting on it, check that it is valid.”

"Never give your personal information such as bank or card details over the phone or enter your personal information into websites you don’t recognise or email links you are sent and never transfer money to them or arrange a payment collection.”

“We ask everyone to follow our safety advice, pass the information to family and friends and report anything that appears suspicious.”

Remember:
- HMRC and other Government Departments will never use texts or calls to contact you or ever ask for payment in this way.

- Reputable companies won’t look for an advance payment to secure a refund

- Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed and email addresses may look real when actually are disguised. Don’t trust the number you see on your telephone display and always check the email address carefully.

- If you receive a suspicious call, end if immediately and if claiming to be your bank or broadband provider, phone them back yourself from the information from your company correspondence.

Anyone with concerns about crime in their area is encouraged to contact Police Scotland by calling 101 (in an emergency always dial 999).

For more information on how to use the internet safely and securely please visit: www.getsafeonline.org or www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/keep-secure-online

Message sent by

Varrie McDevitt (NHWN, Admin Assistant, NW Scotland)

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