- Stop fraud: stop, challenge, protect
- Shop safely online
- Avoid holiday scams
- Stay safe when getting a new phone
- Staying safe on social media
- Use public Wi-Fi safely
- Protect your smart devices
- Stay safe when gaming online
Stop fraud: stop, challenge, protect
Stop and check before responding to a scam
If someone unexpectedly asks for your money or personal information:
- Stop before sending money or sharing information.
- Challenge the request. Ask yourself whether it could be fake. It is OK to reject, refuse or ignore a request.
- Protect yourself. If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the incident.
This follows the Stop, Challenge, Protect advice from Take Five to Stop Fraud.
Useful resources
- How to avoid cyber scams
- Be careful with your online privacy
- Take Five to Stop Fraud
- Take Five scam-awareness quiz
Shop safely online
Before buying something online, check that the website or seller is genuine, particularly if you have not used them before.
Be suspicious of links in unexpected emails, texts or social media posts and offers that seem too good to be true.
The National Cyber Security Centre recommends checking that an online shop is legitimate, protecting your accounts, avoiding suspicious links and only providing the information required at checkout.
Useful resources
- NCSC guidance on shopping and paying safely online
- Report Fraud advice about online shopping fraud
- Metropolitan Police online shopping advice
- How to spot a scam website
Your bank will never ask for your PIN, password, date of birth, address, or other personal details to approve a payment. If someone asks for anything other than a verification code, it is probably a scam.
Avoid holiday scams
When booking a holiday in the UK or abroad:
- check the website or company before paying or sharing personal information
- be cautious if a deal looks too good to be true
- learn how to spot the signs of holiday fraud
Stay safe when getting a new phone
If you're getting a new phone:
- check that the device is still supported by the manufacturer and is free from malware, particularly if you're buying second-hand
- buy from a trusted retailer
- use our smartphone checklist to help you choose a device or contract
- update your Microsoft Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) after setting up your new phone
Staying safe on social media
Protect your personal information and think carefully about what you share and who can see it.
The National Cyber Security Centre recommends reviewing your privacy settings, using 2-step verification and thinking about your digital footprint. Information available about you online can also be used by criminals for identity theft or to make phishing messages more convincing.
Find out more
- Instagram help and safety
- NCSC guidance on using social media safely
- Get support with online bullying or harassment
Access support for Online bullying or harassment support.
Use public Wi-Fi safely
Be careful when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Watch Security dangers of public Wi-Fi for advice about what to do and what to avoid when using a public Wi-Fi network.
Protect your smart devices
Smart devices are everyday products that connect to the internet, such as speakers, cameras and fitness trackers.
To protect your devices and personal information:
- use a strong password
- turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
- allow automatic updates
- factory reset a device before returning or selling it
Find out more about using passwords to protect your devices and data.
Stay safe when gaming online
Protect your gaming accounts, devices and personal information when playing online.
- Learn simple tips - how to enjoy online gaming securely
- Never use your University username, email address, or password for gaming