As we move into a new year(andallthe sales shoppingthis brings),it’sa good timetomake surewe’reup to speed with ways to avoid the latestonlinescams. Just as we set new goals and plans, scammers are also adapting,finding new ways to steal money or personal information.
The tacticshaven’tchanged much
Manyscamsrely on the same ideas they always have, pretending to be someone trusted, creating urgency, and encouraging action. What has changed is how convincing these messages now look. Emails,textsand messages are designed tolook like the versionsyou’dtrust, making them harder to spot.It’soften the smallest details, such as a tiny spelling mistake, that gives the game away.
Check, then check again…
Requests that look routine,such as a message from a colleague asking for details, a payroll request, or even a system login,can be targets for scammers. They rely on habit and familiarity, knowingcolleaguesare busy and may click without thinking.Pausing to askyourself“Am I expecting this message?” is one of the simplest ways to break that pattern.
Pressure is part of the trick
Urgencyisone of the oldesttricks in the book. Messages claiming accounts will be locked, actions are neededimmediately, or a colleague needs urgent help are designed to rush decisions. In some cases, emails have pretended to be from managers asking for quick help while they were “in a meeting”.The aim is always the same, to stop people fromthinking,checkingandasking questions.
Small clues still matter
Even the most convincingscamsusuallycontainsmall signs. The sender’s address may be slightly wrong, a link may not lead where it should, or the request may feel unusual for that person or system. Thesesmall detailsare often easy to miss, but they are still one of the most reliable ways to spot ascam.
Speaking up stops the spread
Manyscamsare stopped early because someone raised a concern.Trusting our instincts andreporting something thatdoesn’tfeelquiteright helps protect patients, colleagues, and our systems.
If you receive an unexpected or unusual message, pause before clicking, take a moment to check the details, andifyou’renot sure,report it.