ONLINE MISTAKES
Over 6.5 million people have fallen victim to internet scams and online fraud in the last year
- Over 29 million Britons use the same passwords online
- Half of people don’t know how to configure parental controls on their devices
- Top online problem is receiving inappropriate pop-ups
A new survey by Privilege Insurance has revealed that 6.6 million people in Britain have fallen victim to internet scams and online fraud in the last year alone.
Taking three years of data into account, the average number of people getting scammed each year in Britain is 5.6 million.
The survey of 2,000 people in the UK examined all aspects of internet fraud and content, from bank account takeovers to fraudulent websites, online shopping scams and phishing emails.
In the last twelve months, one in three (28 per cent) have seen inappropriate pop-ups, one in five (19 per cent) have accidentally downloaded a virus on their computer by clicking on an attachment and one in ten (12 per cent) have had their emails hacked.
Other reports included accidentally downloading software with a virus (14 per cent), stumbling across inappropriate content online (16 per cent) and accidentally opening a ‘phishing’ email (13 per cent).
Visiting a fraudulent website or a website that’s a copy of a real one is also prevalent amongst internet users.
Despite this, nearly two thirds – the equivalent to 29.3 million UK adults - say they have the same password for some or all of their accounts, from online banking to emails, leaving themselves open to being hacked. A tenth have also shared their bank details electronically.
Yet 16 per cent of laptop and computer owners said they don’t even have the most up to date antivirus software on their device.
The results also reveal that only half (48 per cent) of parents know how to configure parental controls on their devices. This is despite two thirds (64 per cent) saying they are fearful of what their children might accidentally stumble across when browsing online.
Most Common Online Mishaps
Source: Privilege Home Insurance
Rank Online Mishap
1 Receiving inappropriate pop-ups
2 Accidentally downloading a virus by clicking on an attachment
3 Stumbling across inappropriate content when browsing
4 Accidentally downloading software with a virus
5 Accidentally opening a phishing email
6 Email account being hacked
7 Visiting a fraudulent website
8 Online accounts being hacked
9 Visiting a website that’s a copy of a real one
10 Email account being taken over
Simon Dukes, Chief Executive of Cifas, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, comments: “Over 300 people fall victim to identity fraud in the UK every day, with 85% of identity fraud perpetrated online.
“Without doubt, the speed in which the internet has penetrated almost every layer of our lives has meant fraudsters are finding it easier than ever to get the personal details they need.
“Falling victim can be traumatic, it can take months before the fraudster's actions are discovered, and in some cases just as long to sort out the mess left behind. The money lost to fraudsters also leads to increased cost of services, interest rates and premiums for genuine customers.
“The good news is that there are simple steps we can all take to keep our personal information safe.”
Dan Simon, head of Privilege home insurance, comments: “Our homes are our castles and it can be hard to come to terms with the fact that we can’t always protect ourselves and our families by locking the front door.
“However, it is possible to take simple steps to protect against making basic online mistakes – making sure antivirus software is up to date, getting to grips with parental controls, making sure you always buy from trusted companies and not sharing personal information like mobile numbers online are simple ways to keep your home safe beyond its physical borders.”
Tips for avoiding online fraud
Source: Cifas
• Install anti-virus software on your laptop and any other personal devices and then keep it up to date.
• Keep your passwords complex by picking three random words and add or split them with symbols, numbers and capitals: DuckSunC0ckta1l!
• Lost your wallet or had important documents stolen, or think your details have been compromised on a fake site? Consider Cifas Protective Registration to guard against identity theft.
• No legitimate organisation – including your bank and the police – will ever ask you to disclose PIN numbers or other security details in full, transfer cash to a ‘safe’ account or withdraw cash for anti-fraud purposes. Hang up immediately!
• Shopping online? Look for signs of a secure and encrypted connection on a website. There should be a padlock to the left of the website address. Click on it to see details of the verification, certification validity and the encryption connection.
• If you’re looking to earn extra cash, then beware fake jobs advertised online. If you’re asked to pay for security checks or expensive training upfront, it’s probably a scam. And if the job involves letting money be transferred through your account, then you could be a money mule – which is illegal.
• Ads can contain malware. Take extra care!
• If you run your life from your mobile phone or laptop, then so could a fraudster. Buy yourself time if your device gets lost or stolen by protecting it with a password or PIN (and no, not 1234 or 0000!)
• Emails that contain links can contain malware or lead you to fake sites to capture your financial and personal details; visit websites independently instead.
• The elderly and vulnerable can be particularly susceptible to fraudsters. Call them on the phone or drop by to chat to them about ways they could be targeted, and keep an eye out for any suspicious correspondence or activity.
• Public wi-fi is vulnerable to hacking and impersonation. Take care and avoid making card payments or logging into sensitive apps such as mobile banking when on public wi-fi
ENDS
For more information, please contact: Fran Langdon or Laura Nugent at Van Communications
[email protected] / [email protected] / 020 3179 0720
Notes to Editors
Opinium surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,018 UK adults (aged 18 and over) from 1st to 4th March 2016. Results have been weighted to reflect a nationally representative audience.
Privilege
Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.
Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Privilege and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk