If you are reading this sentence, it’s incredibly likely that you have an email account. Email is one of the most popular uses of modern technology, for sending messages and photos to loved ones around the world, communicating with customer service, and receiving newsletters and receipts from brands and services.
Unfortunately that means email inboxes, whether you use Gmail, Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo or any other service, are prime hunting grounds for hackers and cyber criminals looking to deceive, trick and defraud you of your hard-earned cash.
A UK-based IT security firm is warning Brits of the risks of email scams at this time of year, with July and August said to be the riskiest months of the year.
“Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they’re caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive,” the team at FoxTech said.
“Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution. Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you’re clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption.”
With a lot of chat about AI in the news, scammers are taking the clever tech and turning it into a scary money-grabbing opportunity. These tools are being used to build AI-generated fake travel websites to trick users into parting with serious sums – but they will be buying nothing.
“People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don’t exist, only to realise they’ve handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals,” FoxTech said.
A second and common scam is bogus delivery texts and emails, where you are sent an SMS message or email claiming you’ve missed a delivery as there is a small fee to pay. These scams often leave a link to what’s known as a phishing website, where you might be tricked into passing on your credit card details, which criminals can then use to spend big.
Beware of the fake urgency of these messages and think twice before giving over your details.
“Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data,” the team at Foxtech added. “Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches.”
Another scam to be on the lookout for include booking scams on accommodation that isn’t actually available or maybe doesn’t exist. These can be difficult to detect, but you can avoid them by booking directly with hotel companies or with verified users of sites such as Airbnb – if a listing is brand new and has no reviews that can often be a red flag.
Brits are also being warned not to share their boarding pass pictures on social media, as these can be scanned by criminals searching social platforms to dig their way into airline accounts to steal your personal data.
FoxTech has put together a list of five new rules to follow to make sure you don’t fall foul of cyber fraud via email or any other online route this summer:
- Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action.
- Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier’s official website instead of clicking the link.
- Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it’s the official booking platform before paying.
- Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise.
- Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen.