Avoid Phone Fraud

Criminals also use the phone, and especially Internet phone systems, to trick people. Again, they are after your private information and bank account details, and want to trick you into calling them and handing it over. Online criminals have long used fake emails and fake websites to trick people into giving away private information.

Examples include:

• You get a fake email telling you to ring a (fake) customer service number or to ring a voicemail system that asks for your bank account number and PIN code.
  

• You get a phone call or fax asking you to call a given number to cancel an expensive service you did not subscribe to.
  

• You get a message on your voicemail saying you have won the lottery or a lucky draw.

How can you protect yourself?

• Always use telephone numbers from trustworthy sources; e.g. call the number on your bank statement for your local bank.
  

• Be careful when handing out your personal information or bank account details.
  

• Do not trust unsolicited communication from unknown sources, whether by email, phone, text messages or fax.
  

• Stay up to date with the latest phishing attacks.

• Avoid Fake Websites.