You receive a message saying you’ve won money, your account has been blocked or you’re entitled for a refund. Sounds suspicious? Then it’s worth taking a moment to check before you click.

Scammers are getting better at pretending to be trusted organisations. Through emails, text messages or phone calls, they try to trick you into sharing personal information, passwords or banking details.

In this article, we explain how these scams work, what warning signs to look out for and how you can protect yourself.

Three common types of online fraud

1. Phishing – via email

Phishing is when scammers send emails pretending to be from a trusted organisation, such as a bank or government service. The message may look genuine, but the link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your information.

Common warning signs:

• Unexpected emails asking you to take urgent action
• Spelling mistakes or unusual wording
• Suspicious links or website addresses

 

2. Smishing – via text message

Smishing is phishing through text messages or chat apps. You might receive a message saying that there’s an issue with your delivery, your account needs attention or you need to confirm a refund.

Common warning signs:

• Short messages creating a sense of urgency
• Unexpected messages about payments or deliveries
• Unknown senders or unusual phone numbers

 

3. Vishing – via phone call

Vishing is when scammers call you while pretending to represent a bank, company or government organisation. They often try to pressure you into sharing information or confirming an action.

Common warning signs:

• Calls from unknown or private numbers
• Request for passwords, codes or banking details
• Request to confirm something through an app or security code

 

How to protect yourself against online fraud

Scams are becoming more convincing, but a few simple habits can help you stay protected:

• Never click on links in messages without checking them first
• Don’t open suspicious attachments
• Never share passwords, PIN codes or banking details
• Always check who the sender is
• Go directly to the official website instead of using links in messages

 

What if you become a victim of online fraud?

Even if you’re careful, anyone can be caught out. If you’ve clicked on a suspicious link or shared information, act quickly:

• Change your passwords immediately
• Report suspicious activity to the organisation involved
• Check your accounts for unusual activity
• Contact the relevant authorities as soon as possible

The sooner you take action, the more you can reduce the impact.

 

Suspect fraud in DIGI’s name?

Have you received a suspicious message from someone claiming to be DIGI, or do you think someone is using our name to misuse your information? Please contact our customer service team as soon as possible or submit a complaint to the Ombudsman for Telecommunications.