Five ways to keep your money safe

1 LOOK at the email address – not just its contents – when a link or attachment is sent. If the email address does not look right, if the language is odd, or if there is little to explain why someone is contacting you other than generic phrases, then hit delete or call the friend or firm to check they sent it. Fraudsters will look on social media and in other places to see who knows who, then imitate a personal contact. Organisations will be emulated – such as Amazon, high street shops, Apple and Revenue & Customs. The latter will never use texts or emails to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty, or ask for personal or payment information.

2 DISREGARD any unexpected phone calls from firms claiming to have detected a virus on your computer. This is a scam so hang up. If you want to have your laptop or tablet inspected, visit a specialist. PC World’s Knowhow centres will test for and remove spyware for £60.

3 CHECK for the padlock symbol in the address bar of a website when buying online or using internet banking, which indicates the website is secure. Padlock images positioned elsewhere could indicate fraud.

4 SCRUTINISE your credit report for any loans or mobile phone contracts taken out in your name. Use Experian, ClearScore (which partners with Equifax) or Noddle (part of Callcredit Group).

5 LEARN about protecting yourself from scams by visiting getsafeonline.org/ protecting-yourself and actionfraud.police.uk.