In Focus: When things go wrong  

'We have to equip young people with the skills to spot scams'

Sharon Davies

Sharon Davies

Checking the privacy settings on email and social media accounts is also an effective measure. Often, you can put blockers in place to stop spam accounts and strangers contacting you directly. 

If something looks suspicious or someone receives a message that they are unsure about, they should reach out to a parent, guardian, educator, or carer for their opinion. There is an option on most platforms to report something that does not look right.

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We often tell people that it is important not to click on links or attachments in unexplained emails and to not use banking apps and input personal information while using public Wi-Fi. 

In the worst-case scenario, if someone thinks they have been a victim of fraud, they should contact their bank immediately, and report it to the police and Action Fraud with all the information they have.

Effective financial education brings many benefits. It can help young people to develop responsible money habits, make informed career choices, navigate the complex financial landscape, and build resilience for the future. It can also encourage and foster enterprise and entrepreneurialism.

However, none of the above are relevant if people do not know how to keep themselves and their finances safe from scams and fraud.

Sharon Davies is chief executive of charity Young Enterprise