Police warning to anyone using internet over Christmas as people told 'don't click'

A Midlands police force has issued a weekly warning to its residents to help prevent fraud, urging them when not to click or pay for items or services. West Mercia Police's economic crime unit shared its advice to "all of us who use the internet daily."

The fraud update, which offers ten tips to stay safe online, was mainly aimed at people who are "less familiar" with the internet, but is also key to everyone amid the Christmas rush. The team advised internet users to be careful logging onto the WiFi hotspots in cafes, bars and hotels as they may not be secure.

Fingerprints should always be used where possible to protect sensitive information on phones and passwords should be different for every online account in case of hacking. Those wanting to buy online should "never pay for anything" via bank transfer - unless it's someone you know, the police force also warned.

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Michael Barbour, from the economic crime unit, said: "Whilst this is primarily aimed at those who are less familiar with the Internet, it comes as a timely reminder in the rush of Christmas when it may be easier to drop our guard. So, it is also a refresher to all of us who use the Internet daily, and may be vulnerable to Online Fraudsters and Cyber Crime."

He added: "Take your time and think twice, because everything may not be as it seems. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours." The ten-point advice read:

• Choose, use and protect your passwords carefully, and use a different one for every online account in case one or more get hacked.
• Use 3-word passwords for better security, and 2 Factor Authentication on key accounts (also known as 2FA, 2 Step verification - 2SV or Multi-Factor Authentication – MFA)*
• Look after your mobile devices. Don’t leave them unattended in public places, and protect them with a PIN, Fingerprint or passcode.
• Ensure you always have internet security software loaded on computers and a similar app on your mobile devices, and that this is kept updated and switched on. Remember that smartphones and tablets can get compromised as much as computers.
• Always download software, operating system and app updates when prompted, as these frequently contain security fixes and improvements. If possible, set them to update automatically.
• You mustn’t assume that Wi-Fi hotspots in places like cafes, bars and hotel rooms are secure, so never use them when you’re doing anything confidential online, like online banking. Instead, use 3G or 4G or if it’s for work, a VPN (virtual private network).
• Never reveal too much personal or financial information in emails, on social networking and dating sites and in person. You never know who might see it, or use it.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

• Always consider that online or on the phone, people aren’t always who they claim to be. Fake emails, texts and phone calls are a favourite way for fraudsters to approach their victims.
• Don’t click on links in emails, posts, tweets or texts – and don’t open attachments – if the source isn’t 100 per cent known and trustworthy, or it seems strange that you’d be receiving them.
• Never pay for anything by direct bank transfer – including goods, services, tickets, travel and holidays – unless it’s to someone you know personally and is reputable. It is safer to use a Credit Card for payments as you are protected by section 75 under the Consumer Credit Act for payments of £100 to £30,000

The advice continues: "If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the scam caller’s phone number.

"Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks."