Police report increase in cyber scams

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant after authorities have seen an increase in cyber scams recently.

The constabulary has taken to social media once again about the issue, saying con artists are continuing to target Island residents with malicious e-mails, phonecalls and texts to try and steal someone's personal or financial details.

In updated advice, the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA) says fraudsters have seen the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to play on people's fears.

These have included bogus messages to possible victims making claims about 'cures' for the virus, offers of financial rewards or asking for donations to 'worthy causes'.

Certain Manx numbers have also been replicated by scammers pretending to be Island workers which, the OCSIA says, are sometimes hard to spot.

Police are urging people to stay alert and to check out the latest advice over the matter from the OCSIA - a link to which is available here.

Meanwhile, officers are also asking people to spread the message of staying safe to anyone who may be vulnerable or not have access to the internet.

Furthermore, anyone can report suspicious e-mails to the new Suspicious E-mail Reporting Service (SERS) at sers@ocsia.im