How to identify a scam? Learn more to keep your device safe.

Recently we've had an influx of customers who've been scammed online. Considering the number of enquires, we thought it was valuable to share the information we provided to them with all our customers. 

Some shocking facts, there were 167,796 scams reported in 2019 costing Australians nearly $143 million and phishing is the most common type of scam with 25,168 cases reported last year.

What is phishing and how does it work?

Phishing scams are attempts by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information such as your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.

A scammer contacts you pretending to be from a legitimate business such as a bank, telephone or internet service provider. You may be contacted by email, social media, phone call, or text message.

To protect yourself from phishing, we've put a list together of a few things to keep in mind; 

How to spot phishing in an email: 

1. Check the sender's address for inconsistencies 
2. Check differences in branding that may be copied to look official
3. Ensure your name is listed and not a generic greeting 
4. Do an internet search using the names or exact wording of the email or message to check for any references to a scam
5. If there is a "Click Here" or any button, check links in the email are for official webpages before clicking on them
6. Don't open or download any attached files claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organisation and asking you to update or verify your details especially if they are an .EXE file

How to spot phishing in a text:

1. Suspicious message out of the blue
2. Poor spelling or grammar
3. Links to update or confirm details

How to spot scams in apps and games: 

1. Dodgy ads or online shopping websites
2. Unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency
3. Intimate or personal images being held for ransom 
4. Offering achievements or items in-game for money

As you may know, some scammers have also used the coronavirus in phishing messages with a link. Before you click any link that is sent by text, ensure any advice is provided through a trusted official source.

If you or someone you know ever thinks they've been scammed online, please turn off your computer and come into King IT immediately. We don't charge for a quick look and some advice.

Keep vigilant!