Lack of cybercrime awareness 'disappointing'

2010-02-02

It is disappointing that people are not realising that cybercriminals are out there trying to appropriate their funds, according to Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online.

Mr Neate commented: "I was disappointed by how many people fall for phishing emails that come through. I saw those coming through four or five years ago and I thought it would only be a matter of time before we wouldn't see them anymore."

Everyone uses computers now and so should be aware of terms such as phishing, as this is now as big a problem as any other crime that happens in general, he asserted.

In terms of how to avoid any problems with cybercrime, Mr Neate stated: "What I would say is treat emails that you receive, treat anything that you receive that sounds too good to be true as a potential scam to you."

He pointed to a number of recent scams, some of which have seen cybercriminals look to take advantage of the earthquake in Haiti. Criminals prey on people who look to be generous, Mr Neate added.

His comments come after Office of Fair Trading (OFT) research indicated that approximately one in 11 adults have responded to a scam at some time in their life. Nearly a third lost money as a result.

According to the findings, email is now the most prevalent form of scam, with almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of adults having received such a message in the past year. This is compared to scams via letter (21 per cent) and via text message (12 per cent).

The OFT released its research at the start of its 2010 Scams Awareness Month, designed to highlight how scammers are targeting unsuspecting people using increasingly sophisticated and manipulative methods.

As part of this, the body will be running what it calls a Scamnesty initiative. This will look to encourage consumers to drop scam mailings they have been sent into designated bins or boxes.

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