By: NATASHA SMITH
ALTHOUGH THE internet is a vital tool for many people, it has its disadvantages, especially when it comes to spam emails and attempted criminal activity.
Several readers contacted The Resident regarding emails claiming to be from Barclays bank. Recipients were asked to disclose personal and security information to prove their identity, in order to receive money that they were allegedly due. This is a scam.
Scam emails are not normally addressed to people by name as the sender does not know this personal information apart from an email address, which is the first indication that it is fraudulent.
This kind of scam has been around for a number of years but it is continuously evolving and in many ways is becoming more ingenious.
However, it is not only Barclays’ customers that are being targeted. It is anyone with an email address, which illustrates that the recipients are chosen at random. These are known as phishing emails and, according to Barclays bank, “they do not know your personal security details but the aim of the email is to get them”.
Emma Austin, from Barclays, told The Resident: “We do not ask people to confirm their personal details in emails. And Barclays does not insert links to individual online banking accounts.
“We have our own fraud investigation department and if anyone receives a suspicious email from individuals claiming to be from Barclays, forward it to us.”
Although Barclays cannot reply to every email, the contents will be investigated, to ensure fake websites and email addresses are closed down as quickly as possible. Send suspected fraudulent emails to internetsecurity@barclays.co.uk.
Barclays is not the only bank or financial institution affected by this fraud. Many others are also scammed and thousands of customers have seen their bank accounts drained before their own eyes by hackers.
To combat this, Barclays announced in April that it had developed a new chip and pin system for online users, in conjunction with private venture capital firm Apax Partners. Bank customers can connect a card reader no larger than a calculator to their computer, in order to safely access account details by inserting the card into the device.
Austin said other banks are also introducing this technology to their customers and she said: “This could cut down on phishing attacks”, adding that, “it will be interesting to see how this technology evolves in the next year and what effect it has”.
If anyone receives a suspicious email from any bank or other retailer, this should be forwarded on to the real company for investigation and users are advised not to reply or click on the links within suspicious emails.
If you have been scammed please contact news@portugalresident.com
Do you have a view on this story? Email: editor@portugalresident.com
