Don't think you're too smart to be scammed

6 Scam busters.

I found this article in my weekly newsletter from moneysavingexpert.com and thought I'd share it.

Even if you think you're savvy, scammers are getting professional & often target when you're most vulnerable

It's Scams Awareness Month and we're supporting Citizens Advice to raise awareness of how increasingly sophisticated scumbags try to target YOUR cash. And it's timely - it was revealed last week that 1,300 TSB customers had money stolen by fraudsters after its IT meltdown. Meanwhile, our Martin is involved in a spat with Facebook over its publication of scam ads. Our Scam-Spotting guide highlights the warning signs, here are six key tips...

1. Never give personal details if they call, text or email. The classic scam is fraudsters sending messages or emails asking for your details to break into your accounts, claiming to be from a bank, insurer, HMRC, even the police. An increasingly common trick is where they call, ask you to call your bank back, but play a dialling tone, tricking you into thinking they've hung up. Yet you're still talking to them. These have all sorts of names such as 'phishing', 'smishing' and 'vishing'. See phishing etc help.

2. Beware fake Martin Lewis ads. MSE founder Martin Lewis's face has been plastered all over the internet, in ads wrongly claiming he's endorsing binary trading, PPI companies and more. NOT ONE of these scam ads is genuine - don't be fooled. There's more in our Fake Martin Ads guide - plus, read why Martin's suing Facebook over scam ads.

3. Check if hackers have stolen your data. Find out if passwords, email addresses, your home address, phone numbers or DOB have been compromised without you knowing. See hack check, incl what to do if hit.

4. Don't fall for fake deals on WhatsApp & Facebook. We hear of many bogus offers popping up in people's feeds and messages, eg, Alton Towers and Ryanair giving away free tickets on WhatsApp. They're a con: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here's how to spot Facebook/WhatsApp fakery.

5. When is www.bbc.co.uk not www.bbc.co.uk? Not all links are genuine - fraudsters exploit this a lot. But there are ways to check where a link takes you BEFORE you click. Always look where you click. (We bet you checked this BBC one.)

6. Ensure you've FREE antivirus software. It's simple and effective. See our Free Antivirus Software guide.