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Spotting scams

Social engineering fraud

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What is social engineering?
Spot social engineering
Steps to protect yourself
How to report fraud

What is social engineering?

Social engineering is a method fraudsters use to manipulate people so that they hand over personal information. The aim is to trick people into giving them passwords, bank information and even to install malicious software on your computer.

Tips on how to spot social engineering

  • Scammers appeal to people's interest in a bargain or free item. They'll often ask for your bank details to send an item that never arrives.
  • Fraudsters hack into your friends accounts pretending to be them and attempt to take personal information from you via messaging.
  • Scammers will create a sense of urgency, curiosity or fear. They will then ask you to reveal sensitive information by clicking on links to malicious websites, or opening attachments that contain malware.
  • Fraudsters usually starts by building trust with you pretending to be a co-worker, police or a bank, asking you to confirm your identity. Through which they take your personal data.
  • If you receive a call, text and even popup banners appearing on websites, being prompted to install software containing malware, this can be used to steal your personal data.

Steps to protect yourself

  1. 01

    Don't open emails or attachments you feel might be suspicious. If you don't know the sender, check and confirm they're legitimate with a quick Google search.

  2. 02

    Keep your anti-virus/anti-malware software updated. Check to make sure that the updates have been applied, and scan your system for possible infections.

  3. 03

    If you receive anything asking for passwords or financial information, check with the company. If the message was from a friend, give them a call to confirm it was actually them.

  4. 04

    If what they're offering seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Exercise caution when it comes to bargains.

How to report fraud

If you think you may have been victim of atm fraud then we're here to help. 

Report fraud

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