With the rise in popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Friends Reunited, Bebo and MySpace, there are increased avenues for fraudsters to operate.
These sites work by building networks and communications between individuals. They encourage us to divulge greater amounts of personal information about ourselves than ever before, sharing information, chat and photos online.
These sites can be a lot of fun but at the same time there are some risks associated with placing information about yourself online.
This information we post is increasingly being used illegally to obtain products and services without our knowledge. The more information you give about yourself, the more vulnerable you become to fraud.
Problems include cyber stalking, bullying, identity theft and extortion.
We urge you to be extremely cautious about the type of information that you make public. Think about who might see it and what could be used against you.
If you stick to some basic rules then socialising online can be a rewarding experience.
Keep in mind that employers are increasingly looking at social networking sites for information on potential candidates.
If you think that a fraudster already has any of your banking details, or that someone other than you has accessed you account online, you should contact your bank immediately.
