IN THE LEAD up to Christmas, Get Safe Online is partnering with Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin and North Wales Police to launch a new ‘Safe Online Christmas’ campaign for residents across the region. Get Safe Online is a service commissioned by the office of the PCC and the local Police Force to share helpful information and advice with the people of North Wales.
With so much preparation for the festive season involving the internet – whether it’s for buying gifts or decorations, ordering festive food, exchanging online greetings or chatting with friends or family – there’s no better time to share important advice about staying as safe as possible this December.
Read Get Safe Online’s checklist of things you may be doing online where you need to take extra care this Christmas:
- Christmas shopping: Scammers love the internet, especially at Christmas. Fraudulent ads and websites and fake goods are commonplace. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know if you haven’t seen the item in person. Not sure if a website’s genuine? Check it out at Get Safe Online’s Check a website page
- Delivery scams: With gifts and other online orders on the way, be wary of texts or emails asking you to pay a delivery or re-delivery fee, as they’re often fake. If you’re unsure, contact the courier or retailer directly using a phone number or website you know is real. You can also check suspicious messages at Get Safe Online’s Ask Silver page
- New devices: Whether they’re brand new, or new to you, protect devices as soon as you power them up. Install trusted security software or apps, set up strong and unique passcodes and turn on automatic backups so your files and photos are safe. Take time out to review your privacy and location settings too.
- Smart devices: When you unbox a new smart speaker, fitness tracker, camera, home appliance, child’s toy or other connected gadget, change the default password straight away, as factory settings aren’t secure. Choose a strong, unique password for each device. And remember, take care what you say around voice assistants and smart speakers …they’re always listening.
- Updating apps and software: Turn on automatic updates for your operating system, apps and software. They fix security glitches that could lead to viruses, scams or identity theft. Mobile apps Download apps only from official stores like the App Store, Google Play or Microsoft Store. Apps from unofficial sites can hide malware or steal your personal information.
- Oversharing: Think before you post. Is it respectful? Does it give away personal or sensitive details about you, family or friends? And if you’re away or out over Christmas, resist posting about it until you’re back … burglars check social media too.
Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online commented: “Because we’re busy and maybe distracted at this time of year, we’re sometimes less careful than usual, making us open to scams and other online harms.
“Don’t give a cybercriminal a happy new year. Read our simple, easy-to-follow advice on protecting yourself, your family, finances and devices online to have a safe, secure and confident experience this Christmas.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin commented: “Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but also the busiest.
“That can sometimes mean that we aren’t as vigilant as we should be when making online purchasing and buying the latest must-have gifts for our loved ones.
“However, by following Get Safe Online’s simple and easy-to-follow advice, we can help stop crime from happening and have a very merry Christmas with our family and friends.
“I am proud to be able to commission services like Get Safe Online to provide helpful and much-needed information and advice to the people of North Wales.”
DC Rachel Roberts, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer, North Wales Police: “At this time of year, it’s as important as ever to be as vigilant to ensure you do not become a victim of fraud.
“Buy only from trusted retailers, avoid deals that seem too good to be true and never click links in unexpected emails or text messages about great deals or missed deliveries.
And remember, for some, this time of year can be especially isolating and difficult to navigate, so check in with older friends, family, and neighbours to help them avoid potential scams too.”
For further tips and advice visit the Get Safe Online website.
