On July 17th, Jerry Holland talked to us about ‘How to avoid Cyber Crime’. Jerry, a volunteer cyber ambassador with the North Yorkshire Police, provided an interesting, if disturbing, account of the number and types of crimes using computers and smartphones, and how to avoid being a victim.

70% of frauds are now cyber enabled, and very few prosecutions result, because most of them are abroad and thus beyond the reach of our courts.

Many real examples of the different categories of cybercrime were provided and discussed, emphasising ways of avoiding them.

General advice required potential victims to trust no-one, not share personal details, not be pressurised, and to stay in control.

Actions included checking the validity of email addresses and websites, not clicking on attachments or web addresses, deleting doubtful emails or messages, being careful with passwords as well as shredding sensitive printed information.

There is an Action Fraud phone number 0300 123 2040 for further support.

The Q and A was wide ranging and interesting, as many members had had personal experience of attempted frauds.