⚠️ The "Man-in-the-Middle" attack

 Could a Cybercriminal Be Secretly Reading Your Messages?

One common cybercrime tactic is known as a "Man-in-the-Middle" attack. This is where a criminal intercepts communications between you and a trusted person, organisation, or website without your knowledge. Think of it like sending a letter through the post, only for someone to secretly open it, read it, alter it, and reseal it before it reaches its destination.

🏠 A Real-Life Example: Conveyancing & Property Fraud

Criminals often target people who are buying a property.

By gaining access to an email account involved in the transaction, they can monitor communications between a homebuyer and their solicitor. At the crucial moment when a deposit or house purchase payment is due, the criminal sends a convincing email claiming that the solicitor's bank details have changed.

Believing the email to be genuine, the buyer transfers money directly to the criminal's account—sometimes losing life-changing sums of money.

✅ Here's how to Protect Yourself

🔒 Look for HTTPS and the Padlock
Websites using HTTPS encrypt information sent between your device and the website. However, scammers can also create fraudulent websites that display a padlock, so always check that the web address is genuine before entering personal or financial information.

🌐 Take Extra Care when using Public Wi‑Fi
Public Wi‑Fi networks can be less secure than trusted home or mobile networks. Avoid doing anything using passwords, or carrying out financial transactions over public Wi‑Fi networks.  If you have to regularly use public Wi‑Fi, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

🔑 Enable Two-Step Verification (2SV)
Adding an extra security step—such as a code sent to your phone—can help protect your accounts even if a criminal obtains your password.

📱 Keep Your Mobile Phones and Computers Updated
Install software and security updates promptly to help protect against known vulnerabilities and ensure that you are running an up-to-date operating system.

📧 Be Wary of Unexpected Requests
Always be cautious if an email or text message asks you to change bank details, transfer money, or share sensitive information. 

🏠 Important Advice for Homebuyers

Always verify bank details by calling your solicitor on a trusted telephone number before transferring money. Never rely solely on information received by email. 

For ALL large online payments, please consider “Sending £1 first” - Then checking that it has arrived correctly, before sending the full amount.  

If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime

🌐 Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud

📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040

📞 To quickly contact your bank's Fraud Team dial 159

Please pass this on to friends and family to help keep everyone safe online!