This article delves into cyber-thieving and security. here is the definition of Phishing — A type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data. The type of data targeted is login credentials, credit cards, bank details numbers, and user accounts. It occurs when an attacker, impersonates a trusted entity and dupes a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.
What are the 4 types of phishing attacks
5 ways to detect phishing emails
Girlfridayz is customer-centric oriented. Our customer's safety and security are super important to us because we are an online Marketing and Business consultant, and your data are kept safe and secure on our system. When it comes to fraud, we want to keep you up to date with what to look out for and ways to keep your account safe this summer and beyond.
Spotting scammers and fraudsters
Scammers use whatever means they can to try and get sensitive data from you. They can fake their phone numbers, pretend to be a trustworthy person from a well-known company, and even create official-looking social media accounts and copy well-known browsers (Chrome, Bing), SMS messages telling all types of information such as banks, delivery details from well-known company… They’ll often seem friendly, polite, and professional, but as soon as they put you under pressure and ask you to act immediately – be suspicious.
Calls, emails, adverts, and texts are all valid target
In doubt whether a call’s genuine or not? It’s best to hang up, and then check if the information is genuine. You can receive fake adverts too. Unsure about the information received, you can report it to the UK Government. Here's below what you can report:
Report internet scams and phishing
Report misleading websites, emails, phone numbers, phone calls or text messages you think may be suspicious.
Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in emails if you're not sure they're genuine.
Read the information provided in this blog post; what are the 4 types of phishing attacks and 5 ways to detect a phishing email.
Suspicious emails
Forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.
Text messages
Forward the text message to 7726 - it's free. This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.
Adverts
Report scams or misleading adverts to the Advertising Standards Authority. You can report adverts found online, including in search engines, websites or on social media.
You can also report scams or misleading adverts to Google if you found them in Google search results, or report to Bing if you found them in Bing search results.
If a scammer’s pretending to be from Girlfridayz Limited and they ever threaten you, please call the police’s non-emergency number 101 or textphone 1800 101 as soon as possible – they’ll pick it up with us.
Social media
This is the latest way scammers will try to get you. If you're contacted by an official-looking account asking you to click a link or for personal information, stop and think. If it’s Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, is the account verified? Is the company name spelt correctly in its username? Does its follower count seem likely for a major brand? All these things can help you suss out a fraudulent account. Spotting scammers can be tricky and they’re getting smarter all the time. So, if you’re not sure, remember that Girlfridayz Limited will never ask you for your full password, memorable word, or to confirm your full account details as a security question. That goes for calls, texts, emails, social media chats, WhatsApp, or anything else. Never means Never. To help you stay on the ball, we also keep our website up to date with the most current examples of fraud – just read this blog post.
Worried you could’ve been scammed?
If you ever think you’ve been the victim of fraud – whether you’ve given your details over the phone or clicked a dodgy link in a text or email and shared sensitive info – don’t panic. Here are some things you can do:
Get in touch with your bank if you think you might have given out any financial info – they’ll try to recover any money you’ve lost.
Change your account password(s)
Forward fraudulent texts to 7726 it will go directly to your mobile phone provider and email the text content to enquiry@girlfridayz.com and we’ll investigate them (it won’t cost you anything)
Call 159 to chat to most UK banks confidentially if you’re concerned you’ve provided your contact details to a scammer.
Ring Action Fraud (the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime) on 0300 123 2040 or use their online reporting tool at reporting.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting
Call us on 07931089744 if you think somebody’s created a customer account with us using your details.
For more tips, and advice about nuisance calls, phishing, and fraudulent activities, head to https://www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing Stay safe,
Trisha Amable
CEO of Girlfridayz.com