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Although the digital world can be a fantastic place, increased use of the internet and social media has led to a rise in fraud and scams. There are lots of different types of scams and these can be difficult to recognise. Keep reading to find out about the common signs of a scam and how you can keep yourself safe when online.

A scam is a term used to describe any fraudulent business or scheme that takes money or other goods from a person. Scammers will encourage you to reveal your personal details or even trick you into willingly handing over large amounts of money.

Thanks to the internet, the world has become more connected and cases of online scams have increased. There are many different types of scam, from identity fraud to unexpected emails and phone calls. It’s important to stay cautious when using the internet and ask yourself, is this person who they say they are?

You should be aware of suspicious emails, texts or pop-up windows that may include links or attachments. Links may seem genuine but include random numbers and letters. You can double check the identity of the sender with a phone book or through an online search.  When online, make sure any websites you are using are secure by checking to see if the web address starts with HTTPS, not just HTTP.

Your passwords should include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Try not to use the same password for multiple websites and don’t share your passwords with anyone.

Make sure your computer has up to date anti-virus software installed. Don’t ignore updates as these can often include patches to protect against new kinds of scams and viruses. This goes for mobile devices as well.