How to set up authentication code in Bitwarden

 

If you have a free bitwarden account (a cross-platform password manager), and not a premium personal account, you could use the aegis app as shown at https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/search?q=aegis to setup 2-step codes. This is better than using a mobile device to avoid sim-swap issues as shown at https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/search?q=sim-swap

Don't Let Hackers Take Over: Protect Your Social Media and Email Accounts

Cybercrime is a growing threat, and new data reveals a worrying trend: social media and email account hacking is on the rise. Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, has seen a significant increase in reports, with 35,434 cases in 2024 compared to 22,530 in 2023. Shockingly, this hacking resulted in nearly £1 million being lost by victims last year.

To combat this, Action Fraud, supported by Meta, is urging the public to take a simple but crucial step: enable 2-Step Verification on all your online accounts.

Why is this happening?

Reports to Action Fraud show that the most common motives behind social media hacking include:

• Investment Fraud: Hackers use compromised accounts to promote fake investment schemes.
• Ticket Fraud: Fraudsters sell bogus tickets to events using stolen accounts.
• Account Theft: Hackers take control of accounts for various malicious purposes.

How Hackers Gain Access

Action Fraud has highlighted two main methods used by hackers:

• On-Platform Chain Hacking: This involves a hacker gaining control of an account and impersonating the owner. They then try to trick the victim's contacts into revealing authentication codes, often one-time passcodes sent via text. This can be particularly deceptive, as people believe they are messaging with a friend. Once they have the code, they can take over the account.
• Leaked Passwords and Phishing: Hackers also gain access through phishing scams or by using passwords leaked from data breaches. This is a common problem because many people use the same password for multiple accounts. If one password is leaked, all accounts using that password become vulnerable.

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

It's vital to take action to secure your online presence. Here are key steps you can take:

• Enable 2-Step Verification (2SV): This adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for criminals to access your account, even if they know your password. It's quick and easy to set up on most platforms.
• Create Strong, Unique Passwords: Your email and social media passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords. A good tip is to use three random words to create a memorable yet secure password.
• Be Wary of Phishing: Be cautious of suspicious emails. Report phishing emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk

Words From The Experts

Adam Mercer, Deputy Director of Action Fraud, emphasises the importance of online protection: "As social media and email account hacking remains the most reported cybercrime this year, this Action Fraud campaign marks a critical issue for everyone who has online accounts. That’s why we’re raising awareness of the ways people can protect themselves online. Follow Stop! Think Fraud advice and protect yourself online: enable 2-Step Verification on each online account you have – this will help prove your identity and stop fraudsters trying to steal or access your valuable information. Secure your social media and email accounts by ensuring each password is strong and uses three random words. Remember to never share your passwords with anyone else."

David Agranovich, Security Policy Director at Meta, highlights ongoing efforts to combat scammers: "Scammers are relentless and continuously evolving their tactics to try and evade detection, which is why we’re constantly working on new ways to keep people safe while keeping bad actors out. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is one crucial example of how people can add an extra layer of security to their Meta accounts, to help reduce the risk of scammers accessing your accounts. We’ve also started rolling out facial recognition technology to help people get back into compromised or hacked accounts and are always working on new ways to stay ahead of scammers."

Where To Get Help

• Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk
• If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

By taking these simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of social media or email account hacking. Stay vigilant, stay safe online!

Source: Action Fraud (17-03-2025)

Bexley crime search using map

Finding out what crime for a certain road using Bexley crime map

Tutorial to show how to navigate the Monthly Crime Stats for ease of reference:

 

• Bexley watch blog - https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/ 
• Bexley crime stats map - https://tinyurl.com/2djne3e6
• https://www.youtube.com/@bexleywatch7592 

Latest scams doing the rounds

Stay in the know about recent scams that are targeting people across the UK.

The latest warnings to be aware of include a Royal Mail scam text, fake Apple ID emails and a dodgy energy-saving device. Take a look at the full list based on your reports to our 

 

Which? Scam Action Alerts Facebook community and to our scam-sharer tool.

 

See the trending scams

 

Source: Which? (12 Mar 2025)

5 tips to help older people avoid scams

Fraudsters regularly target older people in the hopes of stealing substantial savings built up over a lifetime, with older scam victims losing an average of almost £4,000 each.

We've rounded up five tips to reduce scams risks for older people, including how to deter dodgy doorstep sellers and protecting against scam callers.

 

Protect yourself and your loved ones

 

Source: Which? (11 Mar 2025)

What went wrong with Booking.com?

Our investigation into Booking.com found hundreds of people complaining that they’d paid for accommodation that didn’t exist.

From bad reviews being hard to spot to scam listings not being removed for months, find out why so many people have been defrauded on the site.

 

Beware scam holiday listings

 

Source: Which? (13 Mar 2025)

ATOL Protection: How to Make a Claim (Video Guide)

https://www.atol.org/check-for-atol/

If your travel company has gone into administration, you may be able to claim a refund through the ATOL protection scheme. This blog post will discuss a helpful video from ATOL that walks you through how to make an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal.

What is ATOL protection?

ATOL protection is a financial failure scheme for package and flight-only travel companies in the UK. If your travel company goes into administration, ATOL protection can help you get a refund for your holiday or get back home if you are already abroad.

How to make an ATOL claim

You can make an ATOL claim online through the ATOL portal. To do this, you will need your ATOL certificate number and your booking reference number.

ATOL has a helpful video that walks you through the process of making an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal.

In the video, ATOL explains:

• What information you need to provide
• How to submit your claim
• What to do if you have any questions

You can watch the video here: [as below]

Once you have submitted your claim, ATOL will process it and let you know the outcome.

If your claim is successful, you will receive a refund for your holiday.

If your claim is unsuccessful, ATOL will let you know why and what your options are.

Here are some additional tips for making an ATOL claim:

• Make sure you have all the information you need before you start the process.
• Be patient. It may take some time for ATOL to process your claim.
• If you have any questions, please contact ATOL directly.

We hope this blog post has been helpful. 

Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Additional resources:

• https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/
• https://www.atol.org/atol-failures/
• https://www.atol.org/claims/i-want-to-make-a-claim/
• Chargeback OR Credit Card s75 refund rights - Which? and Citizen Advice

What is ATOL protection?:

A helpful video from ATOL talking you through how to make an ATOL claim using the ATOL portal: