Scam communications using electronic communications services - How can I protect myself from scams?

The best layer of defence is to stay vigilant and informed. The MCA regularly publishes informative content on how to avoid becoming a victim, (article 1 – article 2). Scammers are constantly adapting their techniques and new forms of scams emerge with regular frequency. Being aware of such techniques and how to spot red flags is crucial, as this allows you to immediately stop or ignore such scam communications and reducing your risks. As a general rule, one should never disclose PINs or passwords. One should also be cautious when requested to share other personal or sensitive information, such as bank account details or credit card information. Scammers prey on fear, threats, or urgency to trigger their target to take some action such as by clicking on a link, calling a phone number provided by the scammer, installing an app or granting the scammer remote access to the target’s device. So staying composed and vigilant is critical to see through their tricks and avoid becoming a victim. Also, keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is a scam! If in doubt whether a call or message is a scam or a legitimate communication from a trusted entity, stop any ongoing communication and contact the entity using its publicly advertised contact channels only.