75% Increase!

A watchdog is warning that more people are losing control of their bank accounts and credit cards due to fraud, and victims don’t usually even realise.

In the UK over the last year, ‘takeover fraud’ has increased by 75% according to Cifas, a fraud prevention service.

A few years ago, fraudsters who gained personal details would take loans or credit cards out in your name, but these days lenders are more reluctant to give out credit, so criminals are attempting to take over peoples bank accounts or current credit cards instead.

Criminals usually set up fake websites based on popular stories or events, and/or sending out emails. If someone visits one of these sites, their computer is often infected with a malicious software.

The main security analyst at McAffee says: “Cyber criminals out there are trying to infect us so they are going to al places that we go. They’ll try to hide their threats in genuine websites or set up fake websites to look like genuine websites.

“They’ll commonly tie in to current affairs or activities – whither it’s something like swine flu or the World Cup or the latest cricket… they’re trying to make sure that we trip over their attacks.”

Don’t Panic!

Once infected, the computer monitors the websites you visit on your computer and what you type in, such as password details and who you bank with. This information is then sent over the internet to the criminal who can take control of your bank account to draw cash.

There are lots of malware programmes available. These are programmes that detect and remove spyware, viruses and other malicious programmes.  The number available increased more than 400% in 2008 compared to 2007.

But steps can be taken by people to protect themselves: “there are threats everywhere. You wouldn’t dream of leaving your house with windows open or with the door open. It’s exactly the same with a computer,”  says Tony Neate of Get Safe Online.

“You need to make sure you lock your computer. Anti-virus anti-spyware, update the operating system – these are the things you need to do to secure your computer like you would secure your house.”

A good firewall is also very important. But experts say that we shouldn’t get too paranoid about the internet because it is a fantastic tool that can help us with our lives if we use it sensibly.

What Do You Think?

We would love to know your thoughts and opinions. Leave your comments here.