The internet has made paying bills a breeze, but it’s not without risk. Whether it’s a property deal or getting your will written, you want your payments to be secure. Cybercrime is a real threat to individuals and businesses of all sizes, especially during high-value transactions like conveyancing.

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself online. By being cautious and adopting basic security measures, you can reduce the likelihood of falling prey to cyber threats. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

Our top tips are:

• Be suspicious and double check payment requests.
• Use strong passwords that you change regularly (a password manager can help with this).
• Always update your computer’s security software, as those updates are often the result of a specific threat.
• Activate two-factor authentication on all of your accounts and devices.
• Never open a suspicious-looking email.
• Always keep your passwords safe and never share them.
• Never give your personal info to any organisation or person that requests them without first checking they are who they say they are.
• Destroy/shred any invoices or bank statements that show your account details, name, and address, as this is all some fraudsters need.

Feel free to pass these tips on to your family and friends as the criminals are relying on them not knowing and using them. If they do the criminals will likely move on to softer targets.