A specialist in fraud prevention has shared essential guidelines to help individuals steer clear of falling prey to scams. These recommendations stem from a survey of 2,000 adults revealing that nearly half (47%) have come close to being tricked by a scam.
The study highlighted that Britons are targeted for fraudulent schemes approximately four times per month, predominantly through email, followed by text messages and phone calls. Phishing scams have affected four in ten individuals, while over a third have encountered deceptive messages pretending to be from their children.
Regrettably, two-thirds of respondents acknowledge being victims of scams, including QR code deceptions for free gifts or unwittingly divulging One-Time passwords (OTPs) to scammers.
Despite 77% feeling confident in their ability to report a scam, only 18% actually follow through when targeted, with 39% opting to ignore the issue altogether.
Gareth Pindred, Virgin Money’s fraud head, emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in safeguarding against scammers. He stressed the significance of trusting instincts, remaining vigilant, and adopting a ‘Stop. Think. Check.’ approach.
Concerningly, 40% admit to using the same password across multiple online accounts, while 20% store passwords as notes on their phones, and 11% have shared bank or credit card details via screenshots.
Pindred advised against sharing PINs, cautioned against trusting unsolicited communications, and urged individuals not to rush into decisions or divulge sensitive information. He also recommended avoiding unknown links or attachments, securing personal documents, and keeping software updated.
In closing, Pindred reiterated the importance of common sense in staying safe online, reminding individuals that they are the first line of defense against fraudsters. He encouraged people to educate themselves and remain cautious to avoid becoming easy targets for scammers.