How you can spot false information
The Government has a checklist to help people protect themselves from cyber fraud:
Take a breath - a moment - before you part with money or personal information. It sounds simple, but this alone could end up preventing fraud from taking place.
Ensure you are using the latest software, apps and operating systems on your phones, tablets and laptops and update them regularly.
And if you get an unexpected or suspicious email or text message, don’t click on the attachment or message. WHEN IT, is shared, false information can take on a life of its own and have some serious consequences.
It can lead to health scares, false accusations and potentially damaging hoax stories. Recently there has been a lot of this kind of false information about coronavirus.
It’s not always easy to spot, so use this checklist to cut through the chatter.
SOURCE
Rely on official sources for medical and safety information. Check the facts about coronavirus on official websites.
HEADLINE
Headlines don’t always tell the full story. Always read to the end before you share articles about coronavirus.
ANALYSE
Analyse the facts. If something sounds unbelievable, it very well might be. Independent fact-checking services are correcting false information about coronavirus every day.
RETOUCHED
Watch out for misleading pictures and videos in stories about coronavirus. They might be edited, or show an unrelated place or event.
ERRORS
Look out for mistakes. Errors might mean the information is false. Official guidance about coronavirus will have been carefully checked.