Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association Newsletter
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has received reports from victims of a type of email containing an attachment which will, once opened, download malware onto the victim’s computer.
We are raising awareness of this type of email in order to help people to stop themselves from becoming victims. The NFIB advises people to take the following steps to reduce the potential for falling victim to this type of virus:
• Do not click on any attachments or links within emails unless you are sure that you know who has sent them.
• If you have not recently made an order with the company specified in the email do not open the attachment.
• Check the legitimacy of the email with the company that have supposedly sent it – it is a good idea to find a telephone number for them independently from the email as the phone number provided may be fake or go straight to the suspect.
• Ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software and perform regular scans.
• If you have opened the attachment be extra vigilant when logging on to online banking and consider having your machine checked by an expert.
If you think you have been a victim of this type of email you should report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre.
If you do make a report please provide as much detail as you can about the email and any effects it has had on your computer. Additionally if your Anti-Virus software detects any issues in relation to this email please provide us with the details.
Visit www.actionfraud.police.uk for more indepth information, help and reporting tools.