Safety at home
Scammers can be men or women, young or old, and in general are not violent. They often wear plain clothes or false identification badges, overalls, and even uniforms or robes. They may try to deceive you by themselves or with the help of one or more accomplices.
Fraudsters are usually silver-tongued, have a friendly and pleasant manner and trick their victims by telling them complicated tales in order to gain their trust.
If you receive a phone call saying that a loved one has been involved in an accident and needs money, do not give any information or accept the request, but call 1 1 2 (one-one-two) and report what has happened.
Do not open the door to strangers and do not let them in, especially if you are alone and, in any case, when someone knocks on the door or buzz the intercom, it is advisable to check at the peephole.
Even if you are contacted by people claiming to work for an electricity or gas company or to be police officers, and their behaviour arouses your suspicions, vague as they may be, call 1 1 2 (the single European emergency number).
In case of delivery of letters, packages or other items, ask that they be left, if there is no doorman, in the mailbox or on the doormat. Never let children answer the door.
Safety outside the home
If a stranger approaches you as you get out of the post office or a bank making up an excuse, do not trust him/her and call 1 1 2 (the single European emergency number).Or after withdrawing money, do not get distracted and do not stop to talk to anyone.
If you go for a walk, avoid isolated or poorly lit streets, walk on the sidewalk and place your bag on the inside of the sidewalk or put it over your shoulder. On a bus or at the market, do not keep your wallet in your back pockets and always keep your bag in sight in front of you.
Always make sure that your cell phone is charged so that you can use it in an emergency to contact the emergency number 1 1 2 (one-one-two).
If you are going back home or to your car by yourself, inform, if possible, a relative or friend of the route you need to take and the estimated time to reach your destination. Once in the car, lock the doors, without leaving bags or briefcases on the passenger seat or in the back seat.
In the car
Rearview mirror scam : This is a method of getting money from unsuspecting drivers. The fraudster fakes a collision with the victim’s car – after intentionally hitting the carbody,- and claims that the rearview mirror of the victim’s car has damaged his/her own car or watch. The fraudster than asks the victim to pay for the damage in cash. Should you undergo this experience, call 1 1 2 (one-one-two) immediately, and remain inside the car! If the fraudster tries to make you get out of the car claiming that he/she needs help, call 1 1 2 (one-one-two), without leaving the car unattended, because this is probably a stratagem to steal the car or other personal belongings.
Cyber Security
To avoid being a victim of online scams:
- choose a complex password (containing numbers, symbols, and lower and uppercase letters);
- do not open emails and attachments from unknown accounts;
- do not make your login details available on social networks (Facebook, Instagram, etc.);
- do not be fooled by fake announcements of cash prizes or offers;
- your computer must always have an updated antivirus program, so as to protect it from potential hackers;
- do not share on any site or via email information relating to your current accounts or IBAN, or personal documents.
Have you ever heard of phishing? They are fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls, or websites sent with the intent of tricking recipients into sharing sensitive data, downloading malware, or otherwise exposing themselves to cybercrime.
