WELCOME TO the official blog of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA), Bexleyheath Police Station, 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QS. Mobile Tel: 07496 385471 bexleynw@outlook.com Charity No: 1072368
You may see ads displayed within your search results when you use a search engine such as Google or Bing. Although they are intended to attract your attention and clicks, scammers often exploit this idea by creating fake ads that can jeopardise your data and money.
It can be challenging to differentiate a genuine search ad from a fraudulent one, but we are here to help you. Check out our three tips for spotting a fake search ad.
Our three tips
Source: Which? (11 Dec 2023)
In today's increasingly connected world, safeguarding your online security is crucial. Password managers have emerged as indispensable tools for protecting your digital life, generating and storing strong, unique passwords for your various accounts.
Why Password Managers Are Essential
While the idea of keeping all your passwords in one place may seem daunting, password managers offer a multitude of benefits:
Strength: Password managers create complex, unique passwords for each of your accounts, making it incredibly difficult for hackers to crack them.
Ease of Use: Password managers eliminate the need to remember numerous, complex passwords, saving you time and hassle.
Convenience: Password managers seamlessly autofill login credentials, ensuring one-click access to your online accounts.
Security: Password managers employ robust encryption techniques to protect your passwords from unauthorised access.
Choosing the Right Password Manager
With numerous password manager options available, selecting the right one is essential for optimal security. Reputable password managers like 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane offer a comprehensive range of features:
Password Generation: Automated password generation ensures strong, unique passwords for every account.
Secure Storage: Passwords are encrypted and stored securely in the password manager's vault.
Multi-factor Authentication: Additional layers of security, like biometrics or security codes, enhance protection.
Password Audits: Regularly scans for weak or reused passwords, prompting password changes when necessary.
Securing Your Password Vault
To safeguard your password vault, prioritise these essential measures:
Strong Master Password: Choose a strong, unique master password that serves as the gateway to your password vault.
Two-factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for added security, requiring a code from your phone or email for access.
Regular Password Changes: Change your master password regularly, especially if you suspect any breaches.
Trusted Devices and Networks: Access your password vault only from trusted devices and secure networks.
Embrace Password Managers for Enhanced Security
Integrating a password manager into your digital security practices significantly enhances the protection of your online accounts. By embracing the power of password managers, you can safeguard your digital life with peace of mind, knowing your sensitive information is securely locked away from prying eyes.
The price of stamps has risen again this year, and with the holiday season approaching you might be looking for ways to save when sending cards and gifts. However, scammers are unsurprisingly taking the opportunity to impersonate Royal Mail with fake offers for stamps at bargain prices.
Dodgy ads on Facebook for these phoney offers lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal and financial information. See what these scams look like and learn how to spot a dodgy post and website.
Stamp scams
Source: Which? (5 Dec 2023)
A Which? member got in touch after a scammer targeted her on Facebook with fake Taylor Swift tickets for £100.
The victim was on a budget and asked their local community Facebook group if anyone had tickets they’d like to sell. The scammer sent a fake Ticketmaster email to convince the victim the tickets were real. They then asked for payment via bank transfer, and when the victim confronted the scammer, their Facebook page disappeared.
We explain how to buy tickets safely and what to do if you’ve handed over personal information to a scammer.
Get our help
Source: Which? (2 Dec 2023)
From fake lotteries and prize draws to investment scams and pyramid schemes, postal scams are letters sent to obtain money through deception or fraud. Learn how to spot postal scams and how to avoid falling victim to them.
Dodge postal scams
Source: Which? (5 Dec 2023)
Avast have shared Five Golden Tips for how you can shop online safely, and protect yourself from scams and fraud this Christmas!
Check who you’re buying from!
If you’ve found an unbelievable deal on a website you’ve never heard of, chances are it is too good to be true. Scammers are getting better at presenting themselves as legitimate organisations, but a good way to check to see if a business is genuine is to find the company’s details. If you can’t find any information about them, it’s likely the deal you’ve found isn’t genuine.
Avoid sites that only accept bank transfers
Although the money is still coming from your bank account, paying with a credit card is the safest option. Even if you use a debit card, you could get your money back if you never receive the goods you paid for, subject to your bank’s terms and conditions.
Avoid giving sellers any gift card numbers
Be wary of any online seller who will only accept payments in gift cards. Fraudulent sellers on eBay for example may list an item for sale and ask you for eBay gift card numbers instead of regular payment. You should only enter gift card numbers at the checkout and never share them with anyone else.
Look out for stock images on eBay, Etsy, and Amazon Marketplace
Buying stuff online can be cheap, but be aware of when you’re buying from an individual or a marketplace seller and not, say, Amazon itself. If you are buying from eBay, Etsy or Amazon Marketplace, watch out for any that use stock photos for their products as this could be a red flag. Perhaps the product doesn’t really exist!
Beware of the ‘photo only’ and ‘box only’ tricks
The idea of the ‘photo only’ eBay scam’ is to trick buyers so desperate for a deal that they fail to fully read the listing. As the listing is correct you, the buyer, were informed up front that you would receive a photo only, meaning eBay – or any online marketplace – will likely not be able to intervene and refund you.
🎄🎅 Read more on safe online shopping!🎄🎅
Source:National Dec 2023 Newsletter (pdf)
The Home Office has developed the Fire Kills campaign to raise awareness of how deadly fires can be easily prevented at home, and the importance of checking your smoke alarms. People are 10 times more likely to die from a fire if they don’t have working smoke alarms on every floor of the home.
Visit their website for more guidance at https://firekills.campaign.gov.uk
Source:National Dec 2023 Newsletter (pdf)
When we think of Neighbourhood Watch , our minds naturally jump to physical home security: locking front doors, fitting window latches, and ...
