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The use of the internet for Christmas shopping is becoming more popular every year, proving to be an efficient way for people to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy shops and buy from the comfort of their own home.
However, the downside is the internet is also used for a variety of criminality with fraud being the most prevalent so below are some basic precautions and suggestions which together with a good degree of common sense should keep the user safe.
Protect your PC
§ Source good anti-virus/anti-spyware software and a firewall. Some products are subscription based other offer free downloads
§ Use an up to date web browser
§ Keep your computer up to date i.e run ‘windows updates’
§ Block spam emails
§ Beware bogus emails and attachments - Don’t open emails from people you don’t know
§ Make regular back ups of your information on discs or an external hard drive
§ Secure your Wi-Fi use the encryption option. If you can access it without entering security data so can someone else in the vicinity
§ Choose strong passwords - passwords which use random characters; capitals, lowercase, numbers and symbols. Don't pick obvious passwords e.g birthdays or names. Use different passwords for different sites
§ Use your computer in administrator mode. Create a user account and use that on a day to day basis
Online finance and shopping
§ When shopping on-line always use common sense - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
§ Use secure websites. Look for "https://" and the padlock image to show the site is secure
§ Does the company have a real address and phone number. What are their returns and data privacy policies? Call them if you are in any doubt.
§ Use a secure payment option such as PayPal or a dedicated or pre-pay credit card for all on-line purchases
§ Be aware that sponsored links at the top or side of search page pay to be there. These are not always reliable and can be used by criminals
§ Ensure the web address shown on the search matches that which appears on the bottom bar when you hover over the link - if it does not you could be taken to a phishing site if you enter it
§ Remember banks and financial institutions do not send emails asking you to verify your bank details by clicking on a link. Do not trust such emails, no matter how authentic they appear. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar)
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team:
PS Lee ROGERSON
PC Elaine BROWN PC Louise VICKERS
PCSO Dan BEALL PCSO Will HUGHES
PCSO Gary McKEOWN PCSO Maria COZMA
You can contact the team on 020 8721 2724 or mertongraveney.SNT@met.police.uk
To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the new non-emergency number 101 if it has already happened
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