Ten Ways To Stay Safe This Christmas
Christmas may be a time of goodwill towards all men, but Unisys has come up with ten ways to beat the cheats and stay safe during the festive period
‘Not So Social’ Networking
Websites such as Facebook are a rich source of information for the criminal fraternity looking to conduct fraud or ID theft. Be wary of games or quizzes where you are required to input any personal details (name of first pet, mother’s maiden name etc) to work out your quirky name (e.g. Santa’s elf or exotic dancer name), as these are often devices to harvest personal details which can be sold on to the highest bidder.
Beware ATM Skimmers
ATM card trapping scams are up a staggering 640 percent according to the European ATM Security Team, so be wary of anyone standing too close behind you or looking over your shoulder whilst you withdraw cash. Also check the actual structure of the machine is sturdy as some skimming scams involve the front of the ATM being fitted with a false panel which contains a small webcam or digital camera which can capture your details.
Fake Online Payment Sites
Escrow scams are on the increase as fraudsters are setting up fake payment sites to con both buyers and sellers out of money. Legitimate escrow sites such as PayPal are secure. If unsure, check that they have SSL certification, indicated by the locked padlock at the bottom of the screen. Also verify with your bank where the receiving bank is located. If it looks like it is outside the seller’s own country, stop the transaction.
‘Spirit of Giving’
Be on the lookout for emails or tweets from charities that ask for donations, particularly if you have never signed up to receive correspondence from them. Be sure to check that door-to-door charity collectors have some form of identification and if in doubt; phone the charity directly to ask if they have sent representatives out to collect donations in your street.
