Be aware of cyber scams

DON'T click – that's the message from the founder of a website alerting people about cyber fraud.

With a growing number of online scams being reported each year, Cheltenham computer whiz Caroline Coats wants to warn people to be careful when they click.

"It could be a simple email claiming to be from a supermarket, but one false click can a let a virus into your system," said Caroline.

"From there it can access a whole host of information, even recording the pattern of keystrokes. They can log the keystrokes and recognise when an account number or sort code is entered – it's that easy.

"When you get an email, ask yourself 'Can it be trusted?' before clicking in."

Scams can vary, but emails asking for funds to be sent to a mysterious bank account with offers of great financial returns or for fake lottery schemes are still common.

Once a false click is made, the consequences cannot be stopped and the damage is beyond repair.

While email scams are one way of the fraudster targeting potential victims, Caroline warns that uploading information yourself can also leave you exposed to fraud.

She became victim to fraud herself when her CV was accessed by a fraudster and personal information was used to steal her identity and access bank records.

"For instance, you don't need to put your full CV online, just enough to give an employer information about you," she said.

"For every 10 CVs currently online, at least one will have enough information to steal a person's identity.

"I would advise people that every time you submit something online to think what harm it could cause you."

Her warning follows Cheltonians Eve Ford and Ann Hughes falling victim to people hacking into their email account.

In the case of charity worker Eve, all her contacts were sent a message pleading for $2,500 on the false basis she was trapped in Nigeria and needed the cash to escape.

Ann was sent an ominous message claiming one of her friends had taken out a contract on her life and a hitman would kill her unless she paid him $16,000.

Martin Broom, consumer advice manager for Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: "Cyber fraud is prevalent throughout the year, and the scams can be very sophisticated.

"The most common are phishing emails, that claim to be from banks. As a rule banks don't send emails, so that should be an immediate red flag to anyone that gets one."

A spokesman for Jobsite.com, which encourages users to upload CVs, says the industry is constantly improving clients' safety.

They said: "The security of both your personal details and those of our candidates' are critically important to us.

"This is why we're ever vigilant against attacks by illegal operators drawn to high profile brands.

"An expert senior team is dedicated to continually reviewing security protocols to ensure your personal data is safe on Jobsite.

"Jobsite is a founding member of Safe Advice for Employment and Recruitment which works to combat fraud and criminal activities within the sector and is the latest fraud forum set up by the Metropolitan Police's Operation Sterling.

"To help keep your personal information safe online we recommend that you change your password regularly and use different passwords for the various websites people use."

To visit Caroline's website visit www.cyberfraud.org.uk