Bedfordshire Police is launching a range of advice to help people keep safe while on the internet and assist in catching online crooks.
The [Ctrl] +[Rpt] +[Del] campaign aims to educate people on how to avoid falling victim to internet criminals.
Detective Superintendent Jon Gilbert, leading the force’s cybercrime team, said: “Over the next month we will be highlighting through our website and our social media channels different forms of online crime and ways to prevent it.
“We have called our campaign [Ctrl] +[Rpt] +[Del] because we want people to take control of the information and images they put online to protect themselves from scams, phishing and harassment; report any cybercrime they are aware of and delete the opportunities for criminals to use the internet for crime.
“Cybercrime is one of the fastest growing criminal activities across the world involving more than just the online fraud and cyber bullying that is often in the news.
“We have set up a range of useful webpages to help people protect themselves and fight back against cybercrime.
“For example if you are shopping online this Christmas always use either your credit card, which offers you protection in case of fraud, or a recognised online payment service such as PayPal. Avoid paying by money transfers or direct banking transactions which can be unsecure. Never send confidential personal or financial information by email.
“Cybercrime is very under-reported, with victims often feeling embarrassed because they have been scammed online or not knowing who to report the crime to. We want to raise awareness of the ways that victims can report these to the various agencies. If you are a victim of cybercrime, you should report it quickly as the authorities could help support you.
“We also need people who think they have been affected by Cybercrime to come forward and let us know what has happened. By publicising how these scams work we can warn other people and make sure no one else falls victim to the same scam twice.
Visit bit.ly/1tjanLj to find out more about how you protect yourself and report cybercrime.
If you want to report a cybercrime or if you suspect someone of illegal online activity please call, in confidence, Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.