Get Safe Online has launched an online safety campaign for the plumbing trade.
The company stated that many small businesses will be required to use HMRC’s Making Tax Digital from April 6 and has encouraged plumbers to reflect on their online habits. According to Get Safe Online, companies in the plumbing and heating sector are being heavily targeted by fraudsters.
Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online, said: “Earning money and keeping your customers happy is often done at the expense of everyday jobs essential to every business, like admin and finances. And keeping yourself safe from fraud is no exception.
“As you transfer to Making Tax Digital, why not take the opportunity to learn tips and advice on staying safe online too? We have a wealth of expert, easy-to-follow advice at getsafeonline.org”
Typical online threats facing those in the plumbing trade include purchase fraud, payment diversion fraud, impersonation fraud, investment fraud and ransomware.
Get Safe Online has shared some tips for staying safe online.
The company recommended that plumbers should always pay by credit card, never by bank transfer, when making one-off online purchases of supplies, sundries or tools online. It also suggested seeing the goods in person. Get Safe Online said that thinking about the advertisement is also important. It is helpful to think about whether it seems genuine, if anything seems ‘not quite right’ and if it is easy to contact the seller to ask questions.
If users receive an irregular request or instruction for a payment or changing payee bank details, the company said they should always check with the company, organisation or individual it claims to come from, on a phone number they know to be correct.
Get Safe Online stated that fraudsters are skilled at gathering information from multiple sources like combing social media posts and profiles or setting up bogus websites inviting users to submit confidential details. The company said plumbers should always be careful about what details they share on any website/app and even social media, dating or gaming platforms. This includes information about customers, employees and subcontractors, it noted.
The company suggested that users should choose, use and protect passwords carefully, with a different one for every online account. Using three random words and adding capitals, numbers and symbols is a good way to start, it added.
Get Safe Online said it is important to download software, app and operating systems updates when prompted. The company suggested that users should set systems and programs/apps to download updates automatically.
Reputable internet security software and apps should always be loaded, kept updated and switched on, it added.
The company said users should not click on attachments or links in emails, texts or WhatsApp messages or on social media unless the source is 100% known and trustworthy.
Get Safe Online recommended that plumbers should make sure new and existing employees, apprentices and subcontractors are aware of this advice by means of regular communication on online safety and fraud prevention.
The company said that scam victims should report it to their bank immediately, then to Report Fraud.