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Phishing

Phishing emails and websites are attempts to "fish" for personal information like credit card details, passwords, user names and even your mother's maiden name.

Phishing uses emails, phone calls and websites that are cleverly disguised as coming from banks, credit card companies or other financial institutions that try to get readers to give away their private data.

The emails often say that the company needs to verify or update this kind of information. Some may look very authentic - complete with company logos and addressed personally to you.

No legitimate companies will ever ask you to reveal your passwords and so you can easily protect yourself by remembering this simple rule.

Email scams - also known as "419" scams.

They can be quite convincing as they usually involve a long, involved (and often entertaining!) story. There may be about someone needing to get money overseas, you winning a lottery or someone needing to get large sums of money out of their country. The writer will generally ask for your bank account details for them to deposit some money. Once you respond, they will ask you to send them money as a gesture of good will. You will be able to recognise email scams firstly by the nature of the appeal which is hard to believe, and often by the many spelling mistakes or very flowery language.

Help at hand

To get more information and support about online fraud or if you are unsure whether you are the victim of online fraud, contact Bank Safe Online at www.banksafeonline.org.uk (new window).