Video transcript

When it comes to fraud, knowledge is power. Knowing what fraud is and what it can look like is the first step to avoiding it. So, what actually is it? Fraud is when a criminal tries to get money or personal details by lying or pretending to be someone else. Sometimes, fraudsters might use fake ads. Imagine this - you’re online and find your favourite trainers at a super low price. Awesome, right? You buy them, but they never arrive. You message but get no reply. Uh-oh! It might have been fraud..

So how can you stop this happening? When online, only buy things from trusted websites – look out for this little padlock to show it’s secure and genuine. Another type of fraud is phishing and smishing. Well, they sound made-up. And isn’t phishing spelled with an ‘f’?

Not this kind!

When it comes to fraud, phishing is when a fraudster sends a fake email, and smishing is when they send a fake text message. A fake text can contain links that put something called ‘malware’ on your device – this means they can steal passwords and information. Not good!

Always check the sender’s address carefully and never click on links that look strange. Fraudsters still sometimes use a phone call to try to get information or access to your money. They’ll pretend to be your bank or another organisation. And they might make up a VERY convincing story as to why they need your card details or PIN number as quickly as possible. Well, don’t fall for it – no bank or organisation will ever ask for your PIN or verification code.

So, there you have it – fraud explained. And now you know what it is, you know how to steer clear of those pesky fraudsters.