Use strong, unique passwords
Your password is like your house key, it should only be used in one place and be hard to guess.
Top tips for a stronger password:
- Use at least 12 characters
- Include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols
- Avoid names, birthdays or common words
- Don’t reuse passwords across different websites
- Try a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely
Switch on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. After you enter your password, you’ll get a code sent to your phone or email or you can use an app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator.
Use MFA wherever you can but especially for:
- Social media
- Shopping accounts
Protect yourself from phishing scams
Phishing is when someone pretends to be a trusted company to trick you into giving away personal information, like passwords or bank details. If you think you’ve been targeted:
- Contact your bank or credit card provider and let them know what’s happened
- Change your passwords - especially for email, online banking and shopping accounts
Beware of gift card scams
Scammers may pretend to be someone you know and ask you to buy a gift card.
They’ll then ask you to send the card number or a digital version – often to a different email address. They’ll promise to pay you back, but they never do.
To protect yourself:
- Never share gift card codes with anyone you don’t know or haven’t spoken to directly
- If you get a message like this, call the real person using a number you trust
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Need help?
If you’re not sure where to start, ask a trusted friend or family member or visit Get Safe Online for free, easy-to-use tools.
If you think you’ve been scammed, act fast:
- Contact Action Fraud
- Tell your bank
- Report it to the website or app where it happened