Help for Cable customers

1. Common sense and general vigilance - These are your best protection against the many online scams in circulation.
   
2. Scammers often use email - Make sure you have spam controls in place. Virgin Media has powerful spam filters on its email.
   
3. Never give money - Never send money to "claim your winnings", and never invest in a scheme claiming to be financially lucrative.
   
4. If unsure you can call Consumer Direct - You can reach them on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Consumer Direct website
   
5. Be suspicious - Be wary of companies that only have a PO Box for an address.
   
6. Never give your personal details - Only provide your name, address, telephone number and postcode if you are a customer. Some scammers ask for bank details.
   
7. Premium rate numbers start with 090 - So if you are asked to call one of these numbers it may be a scam.
   
8. Scammers are inventive - From fake lotteries, prize draws, lucrative jobs (especially work-from-home schemes) to fake online dating and psychics.
   
9. Scammers will contact you without asking - This can be by email, phone, post, or in person.
   
10. Report incidents - If you have been a victim you should report it to Consumer Direct here. They also provide useful information on scams, and how to avoid them.
    
    You can also contact Action Fraud who provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime. If you've been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it - just visit them here to report it.
    

11. For help with information about cyber stalking and abuse please go to our article: Cyber stalking and hate crime.

More about Action Fraud and The Devil's in your Detail Campaign

Recognising the growing threat of fraud, Government has come together with leading industry players to help people better protect themselves. In the first campaign of its kind involving both the private and public sectors, The Devil's in Your Details campaign brings together Action Fraud, The Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum (TUFF) and Financial Fraud Action UK - the name under which the financial services industry coordinates its fraud prevention activity, in a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when industry and government work together. To find out more visit the website here or watch the Online Fraud video embedded below.