Scam awareness & your security

This past year has seen an increase in the amount and types of scams and hoaxes that have appeared. In 2022, over half a billion dollars was lost in scams.

In the wake of reports on new and more sophisticated scams happening every day, ADIG wants to provide our customers with some warning signs to look out for, and some tips on how to keep safe and avoid falling victim to these scams.

Some warning signs that you may have fallen victim to a scam are;

• You can’t access bank accounts or funds are missing / unable to be accounted for.
• Being unable to log into your computer or mobile
• Your computer working slower than normal
• Files that have been moved or deleted
• ‘Pop-up’ boxes offering to fix your computer

What can I do to keep safe?

The best thing you can do to be safe online is being vigilant, and being aware of the different types of scams that a criminal may use. Click here to see types of scams.

If you suspect that you are being contacted by a possible scammer, end the phone call and call your financial institution to let them know.

Some other steps you can take are:-

• Keep your passwords secure and make sure they are not easy to guess (i.e. NOT ‘password‘ or 1234).
• If you are contacted by someone saying they need your personal details, hang up and call the business directly.
• Ensure your computer anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date.
• Never open unsolicited emails. Delete them immediately.

If you believe that you have been the victim of a scam, you should immediately call your local police or financial institution to let them know what has happened.