How to Protect Your Smart Phone from Scams

According to a global survey by Googlei, Australia has one of the highest smartphone penetrations in the world at 37 per cent and we've gone a little app crazy, consuming more applications (apps) than the US or Britain.

The research noted we're also leading the way in mobile banking, with Australians 65 per cent more likely than the British and 14 per cent more likely than Americans to conduct banking on our phones.

Here are some sure-fire ways to protect yourself against scammers.

You need to be wary of:

Hoax messages: Sorry, we don’t think you won $200,000US this time!

Malware: Unbeknownst to you may inadvertently download software that can monitor where you go online and record your keystrokes making it a piece of cake for fraudsters.

Fake phone surveys: Don’t be tricked into revealing personal details… ever.

Website scams: Look out for anything that seems too good to be true on a social network website where friends and families share information; because chances are it probably is.

Phone porting: Criminals may switch your phone to another provider, thereby gaining access to your calls and SMS. Once the transfer is complete, they can start conducting transactions in your name. Eek!

What you can do: 

- Lock your phone and set passcodes.

- Contact your bank if you lose your smartphone or tablet.

- Clear your mobile device of text messages from banks especially before sharing, discarding or selling your device.

- Be careful what you send via text – never use text messages to disclose any personal information, such as account    numbers, passwords etc

- Use only official apps

- Protect your tablet and smartphone – install and keep up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software purchased from trusted suppliers

- Protect your passwords – ensure you keep confidential your PIN and Internet banking logons and passwords..

- Read privacy policies

- Check your bank account statements 

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