How to stay safe from online scams: A guide for those less confident on the internet

Contents

• Common scams
• Tips to stay safe
• What to do if you’ve been scammed
• Staying confident online
• Useful resources

News of the Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack over the last month has reminded us just how vulnerable we all can be to online threats. If a major global company can be targeted, it shows that we all need to be a little careful.

The internet is brilliant for the likes of keeping in touch with family, shopping, managing finances, and watching TV shows you might have missed. But sadly, it’s also a place where scammers try to trick people into handing over money or personal details.

At ExtraCare, this is a topic that often comes up in conversations with residents, their families and amongst staff members. These days, staying safe online is just as important as locking your front door, and we’re always here to offer support and reassurance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to stay safe from online scams and highlight where to go if something doesn’t feel right.

Common types of online scams

Being able to recognise the tricks is half the battle. Here are some of the most common scams:

• Phishing emails or texts – E.g messages that pretend to be from an authoritative source like the bank, the NHS, or even Royal Mail, asking you to click a link or share personal details.
• Fake shopping websites – Online shops that look professional but are set up just to steal your card details.
• Romance scams – Someone pretends to be interested in a relationship, often over social media, then starts asking for money.
• Investment scams – Offers that sound too good to be true, like guaranteed returns or risk free investments.
• Tech support scams – A pop up on your computer, or even a phone call, claiming your device has a virus and asking you to pay for “help”.

6 Top tips to stay safe online

1. Be cautious with links and attachments

If you get an email or text you aren’t expecting, don’t click on any links or download attachments. A scammer’s goal is to get you to act quickly before you’ve had time to think.

Tip: Hover your mouse over a link (without clicking) to see where it really goes. If it looks suspicious, delete the message.

2. Use strong, unique passwords

Your pet’s name and birthday might be easy to remember, but they’re also easy for scammers to guess.
Instead, use three random words together, like ‘teacup–window–river.’ Even better, use a password manager that keeps them safe for you.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security method that requires two distinct forms of identification to access an account or system, significantly enhancing security against unauthorized access. Online service providers can offer this as an option. We advise that you turn on the two-factor authentication option, which will send you a code by text or app before logging in. It adds another layer of protection.

3. Look for the padlock symbol

When shopping online, only enter card details on secure websites. Look for:

• A padlock symbol in the address bar.
• The address beginning with https:// (the ‘s’ stands for secure).

If these aren’t there, don’t buy from that site.

4. Trust your gut

If something feels “off”, it probably is. Common red flags include:

• Pressure to act quickly – “Your account will be closed unless…”
• Requests for secrecy – “Don’t tell anyone, this is private…”
• Offers that sound too good to be true.

5. Keep your devices updated

Those little notifications asking you to update your computer or phone aren’t just annoying, they’re important. Updates fix security problems that scammers might otherwise exploit.

6. Don’t overshare on social media

It’s tempting to post about birthdays and holidays etc, but scammers can use this information to guess passwords or trick you.

What to do if you’re worried you’ve been scammed

Even the most careful people can get caught out. If you think you might have fallen victim:

• Stop contact immediately and don’t reply to emails or messages.
• Contact your bank if you’ve shared card details. They can put blocks in place.

To report the scam: 

• Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
• Forward scam texts to 7726 (free of charge)
• Talk to someone you trust and never feel embarrassed! Scammers are professionals at what they do, and you’re not alone.
• Source: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams

Useful resources

• Age UK – advice and support for staying safe online
• Action Fraud – the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – practical guidance on online safety