Criminals are increasingly turning to social media, because increasingly it’s where people spend most of their time online.  One of the most popular tricks are fake giveaways for big brands and stores.  The scammers set up a fake profile and post claiming to offer vouchers giving away prizes worth hundreds or thousands of dollars to the first hundred or thousand customers who sign up.

However, the click will often lead to a website that instead installs malware on your computer or gains control of your social profile via a Trojan, which leads to you posting more of the same spam.

We’re all used to getting texts from companies offering deals, which is why criminals are now sending mock ones via SMS to mobile phone numbers they have collected.  Similarly, to the social media scams it will claim to offer discount vouchers or entry for a massive give away to anyone who clicks the link, however instead you will be registering your details at a fake website. 

The scammers will then likely sell them on which will result in you getting an endless stream of spam emails, more similar texts and automated phone calls.   

Child identity theft is a relatively new problem and something we’d like to shine a little more light on.  Criminals are keen to gather the details of children because they can use them for claiming benefits as well as opening bank and credit accounts.  

Unlike adults who are quick to realize their credit ratings have changed, it’s highly unlikely a parent or child will notice a scam running in their child’s name until they get a phone call from a lender saying they owe money or a letter from the government saying their child owes tax.

Our advice is to be extra vigilant with who and where you share your children’s details.  Make sure you keep every family device secure with our special Back to School introductory discount for Norton Security