Staying safe from cyber-crime and scams

‘Phishing’ is when criminals try to convince those they contact to click on links within a scam email or text message. These scams tend to include a link to a fake but very convincing website designed to trick victims into submitting personal information such as bank details, a password or a credit card number.  Covid-19 related examples include fake texts claiming to be from official Government sources such as HMRC or ‘Public Health’.  These may not be genuine and neither of these organisations would ever ask for any personal or financial details in this way, so don't be tempted to click any links. Criminals are also using the 'number spoofing' technique in this scam, which can make a message appear in a chain of texts alongside previous genuine messages from that organisation, such as the NHS Track & Trace service.