Crystal Wealth Newsroom
Scammers never sleep
Scamwatch (operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) estimated that Australians lost a record amount to scams in 2019, with projections from losses reported to Scamwatch and other government agencies so far expected to exceed $532 million, surpassing half a billion dollars for the first time.
Unfortunately, 31% of reported scams target people through their personal email. The good news is there are some easy steps you can take to keep yourself and your family safe online.
1. Look out for common cyber crime tactics
Online scams – you may receive a cheap or free offer that turns out to be dishonest or non-existent.
Phishing – an email or text pretending to be from a trusted source like the ATO, ASIC or Australia Post that asks you to complete a form with personal information or login credentials to claim a non-existent tax refund, parcel or claim.
Identity fraud – criminals may use your personal information including email to access your money or other benefits.
Malware and ransomware – software designed to gain unauthorised access to your computer to steal data or prevent you from accessing your files until a ‘ransom’ is paid.
2. Staying secure while using email
Crystal Wealth or your bank will never send you an email asking for your login details, so don’t respond to this type of request.
Criminals often use a company’s name and logo — so contact us or the relevant company by phone if you suspect a scam.
Phishing emails often contain bad spelling and grammar or come from a peculiar email address – so look out for these clues and delete.
Don’t open an attachment if you can’t verify who sent it.
Only click on links if you recognise and trust the sender.
Ensure spam filtering is activated on your email account.
Consider using a separate email for email lists, online shopping etc.
Regularly update software and anti-virus protection.
3. Manage your passwords carefully
Don’t write your passwords down or store them on your computer. If you do record it, make sure it’s disguised or use a service such as Lastpass to store passwords online.
Don’t click ‘remember this password’ on your browser, and make sure you log off when you’re finished.
The website may ask users to provide their bank details, along with other personal identifying information, for ‘verification purposes’. Do not click on any links and do not disclose the information requested.
At Crystal Wealth we take our duty of care to protect your personal information seriously. We have strong security measures in place to protect your personal data. In addition, we will always contact you via phone if we receive any request that seems over certain amount or out of the ordinary.