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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Fraud, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Cyber crime
How to protect yourself from cyber crime:
try using three unrelated words, eg fishbooktable; and think of three different words for each account, so if one is compromised the others are safe
never give personal or sensitive details out online or over email
make sure all devices have up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed
keep software and apps regularly updated
only download from legal, trusted websites
only open emails and attachments from known and trusted sources
only ever use websites that start with https://, however make sure that you're on the correct site by sense-checking the full website address
avoid using public WiFi hotspots that are not secure, use your 3/4G data. If you have no choice but to use Public WiFi, then only use it with a Virtual Private Network enabled on your device
Email and text scams:
To protect yourself from scams, known as 'phishing':
don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from senders you don’t know
never give out personal information, financial details or passwords in response to an email, when you receive an unexpected phone call or in response to a text message
set up spam filters on all of your accounts
don’t respond to emails or texts from unknown sources
always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account
Keeping your kids and teenagers safe:
To help protect your children online:
keep computers and games consoles in family rooms where you can monitor activity
install parental control software or activate parental controls through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to prevent access to inappropriate content
‘friend’ or ‘follow’ your child on social networks, so you can see how they're using them
check age restrictions for websites or social networks to make sure your children are allowed to join
advise your child not to post personal information or any images they wouldn’t want everyone to see
check their social media accounts’ privacy settings, so their posts are only seen by friends and their location isn’t tracked
avoid using webcams unless talking to close friends or family, and consider covering it when not in use
monitor how your children use the internet and watch for any secretive behaviour
encourage your child to be open about what they do online and who they’re talking to
insist you go with them if they wish to meet online friends
ensure the games your children play online are age appropriate
 Fraud can affect anyone within the community, so we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to protect yourself from it. It comes in many different forms and across varying channels, whether that's through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Some adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud or financial abuse, but it is something that everyone can be at risk of. If you’re concerned about someone you know, please contact your local social services and ask for Adult Social Care. Please see a few resources below to protect you and others from potential fraudsters: For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Lastly, if you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, please contact 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud. We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
