🛡️ Please Think Before You Click, Reply or Pay

⚠️ Criminals Hack People More Often Than Computers

When people think about cybercrime, they often imagine criminals breaking through sophisticated security systems.

The reality is different.

Most scams, frauds and cyber-attacks succeed because criminals persuade people to bypass security processes. They create a sense of urgency. They may shock or scare you. They impersonate trusted organisations that require some further information from you.  They offer you deals or investment opportunities that seem too good to be true. They will ask for your money in all sorts of ways.

🔒 How To Protect Yourself

✅ Always pause before you act
✅ You must verify all unexpected requests
✅ Be cautious of pressure or urgency 
✅ If you are at work, follow established security procedures

Cyber security is not about distrusting people. It's about recognising when someone is trying to exploit your trust.

Be it an email, a text message, even a voice phone call, remember these six words:

"CAN I JUST VERIFY THAT FIRST?"

It is one of the most effective security controls you have at your disposal.

🔗Ensure that you Verify Directly - Do not use phone numbers, email addresses or links provided in a suspicious message. Always carry out your checks using phone numbers from official websites, publicly available email address's that you know are correct, or via thoroughly trusted apps.

If You Receive a Suspicious Message

📧 Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete them.

📱 Forward suspicious text messages free of charge to 7726 (spells "SPAM" on your keypad) and then delete them.

If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime

🌐 Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud

📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040

📞 To quickly contact your bank dial 159

👥Please share this advice with friends, family, and colleagues to help keep Devon & Cornwall safe online.