It's that time of year when many of us will naturally be spending more time at home.

Making use of everything the online world has to offer can help if you want to limit how much you’re out and about. But in this brave new world of apps and smart everything, what steps should you be taking to keep yourself safe from online fraud and unscrupulous scammers?

Don't live in fear - but be aware!

With cybercrime on the rise, it’s absolutely crucial to be aware of the different dangers the online world can pose. It’s not about living in fear, but rather cultivating an understanding of how some cybercriminals operate, and how you can guard yourself (and your hard-earned cash) against online threats.

Fraud and cyber-crime: the stats

• Britain has become the global capital of fraud, with losses of almost £3 billion a year
• Just one in seven frauds are reported to the police or Action Fraud
• More than 40 million adults in the UK have been targeted by a scammer this year
• Britain has the highest level of credit and debit card fraud in Europe

And with the cost of living hitting the UK hard, the situation is getting worse as criminals find new ways to exploit the elderly and vulnerable – leading to fraudsters stealing £700million in April, compared with an average of £200million a month over the previous year. 

Embracing the digital world, safely

The trials and tribulations of the pandemic actually led to a lot of older people getting online and discovering the bountiful benefits of today’s technology. The internet can be jolly good fun, downright interesting, and pretty much unbeatable for helping us to keep up with family and friends – so it would be a crying shame to shy away from it through fear.

So let’s run through some of the ways that you can keep yourself safe from online crime.

Be wary of scams

Online scams targeting older people are on the rise! If you receive an email asking you to input your bank details, share personal information, or take an action like downloading a file or opening a link, be very cautious. Some smart scammers make it difficult to spot a fake email, website or document, but if you receive anything from a sender you don’t recognise – or weren’t expecting – be sure to check with a trusted friend or family member before responding. And if you’re planning to verify through a phone call, look up the number yourself rather than using the phone number on the email – as that could be fake, too!

Strengthen usernames and passwords

It’s tempting to rely on the same username and password for everything so that it’s easier to remember, but that’s not going to keep you safe online. When setting a password, avoid anything obvious such as family names or birthdays (you’d be amazed at what scammers can access!) Instead, opt for an obscure combination of special characters, upper and lower case letters, and numbers – and have a different password for every account. If you need help remembering your different usernames and passwords, make a note of your log-ins and keep them somewhere safe, offline. And don’t share them with anyone else.

Keep your tech updated and secure

If your computers and devices are out of date, they’re more vulnerable to viruses, hacking, and consequently, fraud. You should receive a notification whenever an update is available, so be sure to act on these when you get them. It’s also a good idea to install a firewall or anti-virus software on your computer, laptop or tablet, as these will help to keep you protected from cybercriminals. Ask a loved one for help if you’re not sure where to start, and only ever buy from a reputable brand.

Don’t get too personal on social media

Despite its flaws, social media is simply wonderful for helping us to keep in touch with family and friends, share what’s going on in our own lives, stay abreast of current affairs, and even get involved in the local community. But you have to be very careful not to leave yourself exposed. When you post on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, your information is entering the public domain. Never share your bank details, phone number or address, and be wary of quizzes asking for your mother’s maiden name, first school or pet name, as these can be used to try and crack passwords.

Look for the padlock

If you choose to shop online – which most of us do for comfort and convenience – it’s important to make sure the websites you’re using are secure before parting with any personal details. Look out for a padlock symbol in the URL bar at the top (where the website address is written), an up-to-date security certificate, and an address starting with ‘https’. If in doubt, ask someone you trust for help. It’s also a good idea to check out reviews before buying from somewhere for the first time.

If you’re at all worried about your online safety, or you think you may have fallen victim to fraud, talk to a loved one, or visit the Action Fraud website for help, support, and more detailed advice.