Chris Elmore, MP for Ogmore, urges constituents to ensure they know how to protect themselves from online scams. With people needing to spend more time online during the pandemic, scammers have had new and increased opportunities to try and take advantage of our reliance on the internet.

Citizens Advice recently shared their top tips for protecting yourself against scams with Which?, helping to spread awareness of the wide range of scams that can be found online.  You can also make Which? aware of a scam with its new scam sharer tool.

Citizens Advice’s four main tips for spotting an online scam include making sure the individual or organisation you are talking to is legitimate, carrying out background research about the company, never sending personal information or money to someone you don’t know, and steering clear of retailers asking you to use crypto-currencies.

Find out more about Citizens Advice top tips here: https://conversation.which.co.uk/scams/citizens-advice-pandemic-scams

Chris Elmore, MP for Ogmore, said:

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on our reliance on the internet, shaping the way we have been able to interact with friends and family over the last year and work and learn remotely. Unfortunately, scammers have been taking advantage of this growing reliance.

“Citizens Advice Scam Action service have dealt with a surge in coronavirus related scams during the pandemic, from fake coronavirus tests to spoof vaccines.

“Citizens Advice’s top tips to spotting online scams article is so important in helping people better protect themselves online, and I’d urge all constituents in Ogmore to heed the advice and be vigilant when using the internet.”