Monmouthshire Building Society is holding a Cybersecurity awareness event at its Cardiff high street branch on Friday 31st October, to help its members and the public be cyber aware this winter.
As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Building Society’s Information Security team, alongside the fraud arm of Tarian – the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales – will be at its Cardiff branch sharing practical cyber advice to help customers protect themselves from online scams and fraud. The aim of the event isn’t to spook customers but to demonstrate and educate people on safe online banking practices and secure digital payment methods.
Matthew Didcott, Information Security Officer at Monmouthshire Building Society said: “The aim of the event isn’t to spook customers but to demonstrate and educate people on safe online banking practices and secure digital payment methods.
“This event provides an opportunity for our customers to learn how to spot scams like unsolicited emails, texts and phone calls and will give practical help and advice so customers can protect their personal information. We will also show them how to use things such as multi-factor authentication to provide extra security beyond a password.”
Online scams are becoming more and more commonplace, with one in 10 UK adults said to have fallen foul to an online scam last year alone. The average financial loss per person was £1,443, with most people never getting their money back. Older adults – those aged over 65 – are especially targeted, with over 1.8 million people estimated to have been affected.
Phishing is the number one threat. This is when someone is sent a fake email or text message that scammers use to trick you into clicking links or sharing personal information. This gives the thieves entry into your digital world.
The National Crime Agency reports that an estimated 67% of fraud reported in the UK is cyber-enabled, yet a staggering 71% of victims don’t report it often because they’re embarrassed or unsure how.
Matthew added: “Awareness is key. Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication can stop most attacks. If something feels wrong, don’t click, don’t share, and don’t pay. Always check with us at Monmouthshire Building Society, or your banking provider, if you’re unsure. It won’t take long and will be worth the check. If in doubt, report!”
There’s no need to book to attend the event, just come along to Monmouthshire Building Society’s Cardiff branch between 10am and 5pm. Participants will also be invited to take part in a quiz, where they’ll be entered into a prize draw.
For more information about Monmouthshire Building Society, visit: https://www.monbs.com/