Unfortunately, scams usually increase in frequency associated with significant events. Brexit and COVID-19 are good examples, Christmas is always a favourite time of year too!Scam emails, texts and phone calls are all generally seeking to get you to act on impulse.

If you get a suspect call or email always follow the Police and Government advisory campaign ‘Take 2 & Tell 5’.

Take 2 minutes and think before you act!

• Never click on a link from an unsolicited email, or an email expressing some urgency or concern, even from a well-known contact, and particularly if it’s about your bank or any online account.
• With cold telephone callers, never reveal your personal details and always ask if you can call them back…. if the call is legitimate, no genuine call handler will ever seek to encourage you not to! Don’t be afraid to challenge a caller or put down the phone.

You can improve your cyber security by taking six actions:

1. Use a strong and separate password for your email
2. Create strong passwords using 3 random words
3. Save your passwords in your browser
4. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
5. Update your devices
6. Back up your data

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (www.ncsc.gov.uk) contains oodles of easy to understand and follow advice…. they even try to make it interesting! Save it into your browser and take time to catch up with the advice from time to time.

Remember to share this information with family and friends – particularly those who aren’t so techno savvy!!