1. Use strong passwords – Use upper-case characters, lower-case characters, special characters, and numbers. Avoid simple ones such as sequential numbers or personal information that is easily identifiable. Where possible we also suggest the use of a password manager, to ensure safe passwords are used on separate sites and services.
2. Avoid using public Wi-Fi when transmitting sensitive data. Just wait until you get home or create a hotspot on your phone, if you're using a laptop.
3. Only use sites that contain HTTPS in the address. That 'S' ensures the data is secure and encrypted.
4. Utilize two-factor authentication where possible. (whereby you are emailed or texted a second security number for additional verification).
5. Keep your identity safe. Don’t provide personal or financial data to anyone unless you know the identity of that person or that the website is legitimate and secure.
6. Regularly update your phone, tablet or PC. These updates tend to include the latest security updates too.
7. Secure your home WIFI network with a strong password.
8. Even if an email looks legitimate, double check it. Hover your mouse over a sender’s email address, or a link within the email, to check if it looks legitimate. Is the email written well (punctuation, spelling etc), do you have to open an attachment at all?
If you want to find out more or suspect that you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, there are several resources for you. Some of these are: