FRAUD FACTS Issue 9 December 2011 INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS Social networks
Social networking is changing the way we communicate and interact with one another in both our personal and professional lives. But what risks do social networks present to the individuals who use them and what precautions do we need to take if we are to immerse ourselves in this new world?
Introduction downloads, to steal personal information Fake videos: These claim to show videos of or to target individuals or their friends and celebrities or ‘shocking’ events, but require Social networking is changing the way we family for criminal activity (such as fraud). you to complete a survey (or surveys) first. live our lives. Over the past 10 years sites Scammers can also use social networks to Sharing or liking the posts helps to spread like Facebook, MySpace, Friends Reunited impersonate others (often celebrities) by the scam further. Ultimately the video may and Bebo have helped friends to stay in setting up fake accounts in their name. be non-existent or false. Meanwhile the touch while other sites like LinkedIn and scammer has been paid a commission for Plaxo have helped to connect growing Therefore it is important to be aware of the the surveys you have completed. numbers of business users. dangers arising from social networking sites and to limit the amount of information you Today Facebook is one of the most popular disclose online. Managing the risks websites in the social media world with 50% of internet traffic in the UK for it It is important to bear in mind that social alone. Common types of scams networking takes place in a public space Identity fraud: People often give away with limited privacy. Even seemingly But the use of social networking is not more information than they intend on innocent information shared with the world without its risks, and individuals who are social networks which can then be used can be dangerous in the wrong hands. unaware of the associated dangers of these by fraudsters to commit crime or sell on to types of websites can get caught off guard. • Be cautious about accepting ‘friend’ others. ‘Live chat’ facilities are sometimes requests. If you do not know them – used to trick you into disclosing do not add them. Be careful about the What are social networks? information. Even small pieces of information (both type and amount) you information can be useful to a fraudster, Social networking is now an integral part broadcast about yourself, family, friends particularly when combined with other of the way we live, work and play. Social and employer when using social information obtained elsewhere. networks allow people to connect online networks. and share messages, pictures and videos, as Romance fraud and ‘honey traps’: • Be aware that some social media tools well as to meet new people, chat and play Fraudsters use online dating sites to target (eg TripIt) broadcast trip itineraries and games. Some of the most popular social innocent people for dishonest purposes travel plans. Be cautious about posting networks include (but are not limited to) by claiming to be someone they are not. status updates indicating your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace. These fraudsters often use sophisticated whereabouts. and convincing tactics to earn your trust But it is not just the ‘friends’ aspect of before asking to borrow money that will • Read and understand the social social networking that we find attractive. never be repaid or to have access to network’s terms and conditions of use – Increasingly it has become a powerful tool your bank accounts or other personal no matter how boring they seem. for businesses wanting to make the most information that can then be used to Search the internet to see what others of their online presence, to increase their commit crime. are saying about the site; are there any profile and to recruit new staff. privacy issues or security gaps that you Rogue or fake apps: These can be for should be aware of? Will your data be anything – games, video calling, anti-virus The risks shared with third parties? patches, smartphones etc. Some are The growth in the popularity of social dummy apps leaving you out of pocket • Limit the amount of personal information networking sites has made them – and while others seek to compromise your you post online or on Twitter. Do not their users – a target for fraudsters and email and/or account details to send disclose your home address or mobile scammers. Social networks can be used spam-related or malicious site links to phone number – this information can to spread malicious software or application your friends or followers. be very useful to fraudsters and others. How to protect yourself Always check an application’s source Further information before downloading it. DO: See our separate fraud factsheets on Read and understand the security Cybercrime – Social Networks and Virtual Ensure that you have a personal firewall instructions provided by the social Worlds and Cybercrime – Email and Internet and adequate virus protection installed network sites that you use. on your computer and make sure you Scams for more information. Monitor your children’s use of social update it regularly. Action Fraud networks if they are pre-teens or young www.actionfraud.org.uk Regularly (weekly) run software on your teenagers. computer to check for viruses, malware Connect Safely and spyware. DO NOT: www.connectsafely.org Make sure you are using the most Accept ‘friend’ requests or reply to Fraud Advisory Panel recent version of your internet browser; messages from people you do not know. browser updates often include security www.fraudadvisorypanel.org Post more information about yourself patches which will help keep you safe Family Safety Centre online. than absolutely necessary. Hackers, www.facebook.com/safety scammers and stalkers may use this Make use of privacy tools and information to guess the answers Get Safe Online periodically check the settings. Restrict to your security questions or to www.getsafeonline.org your profile so that only people who impersonate you when trying to scam you have accepted as friends or another user. Metropolitan Police Fraud Alert followers can view your details. www.met.police.uk/fraudalert Use add-in applications until you have Be cautious about the amount of carefully reviewed and understood their Microsoft Safety and Security Centre information you post online or on terms of use. www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/ Twitter. There is a fine line between online-privacy/social-networking.aspx giving people enough information to Disclose sensitive information that could recognise you, and posting/tweeting harm your friends, family or employer. details that a fraudster can use. Expose your whereabouts unless Use different passwords for different necessary. Some services will accounts. Make sure you choose strong automatically tag your status updates passwords and change them regularly. with GPS information. A strong password should contain Advertise when you are going on a combination of letters, numbers holiday or when your house or flat will and other characters, and it should be left unattended. be difficult to guess.
If you post status updates or Twitter messages, double-check that the The Fraud Advisory Panel gratefully information you share is not acknowledges the contribution of inadvertently giving away more than Dr Stephen Hill (Snowdrop Consulting Ltd) you intended. in the preparation of this Fraud Facts.
Fraud Advisory Panel, Chartered Accountants’ Hall, Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA. Distributed by Tel: 020 7920 8721, Fax: 020 7920 8545, Email: [email protected]. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No. 04327390 Registered Charity No. 1108863
Disclaimer Dissemination of the contents of this Fraud Fact Sheet is encouraged. Please give full acknowledgement of the source when reproducing extracts in other works. While every effort has been made in the preparation of this Fraud Fact Sheet, compliance with it does not guarantee that you will not be a victim of fraud or criminality aimed against you. The Fraud Advisory Panel and the contributors to this Fraud Fact Sheet accept no responsibility for any action taken by parties as a result of any view expressed herein. Readers are strongly advised to seek and obtain the appropriate professional advice on the issues raised which affect them. © Fraud Advisory Panel 2011
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