Cyber Security Awareness Month - October 2026

Cyber Security Awareness Month - October 2026

Switch to passkeys: Report Fraud warns of surge in email and social media account hacking

Email and social media account hacking remains one of the most reported cybercrimes in the UK, with reports rising by 34% compared with the previous year. The amount of money lost through this type of fraud has increased by more than 400%.

To mark Cyber Security Awareness Month, Report Fraud has launched a new campaign encouraging people to strengthen their online security by switching to passkeys and enabling extra account protection.

Account hacking happens when criminals gain unauthorised access to email, social media or other online accounts. Once inside, they often use those accounts to target family, friends and contacts, posing as the victim to request money, offer fake tickets, or carry out other scams.

One of the most common patterns seen in reports is fraudsters using compromised accounts to impersonate someone known and trusted by the victim’s contacts.

How to protect yourself

Use passkeys wherever they are available.

If passkeys are not an option, use strong, unique passwords generated by a password manager.

Enable two-step verification on your accounts.

Review your privacy settings and limit who can see your posts and personal information.

Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details online, such as birthdays, family information or pet names.

If you receive an unexpected message from someone you know asking for money or personal information, contact them through another method before responding.

The NCSC also provides guidance on recovering hacked accounts and reducing the impact of a compromise: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/recovering-a-hacked-account

For more information on passkeys, please visit Passkeys: what you need to know | National Cyber Security Centre

Where to Report

Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot

Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website

Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.

Kind regards.

PC Vincent Gieldon-Bruce

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PC Gieldon-Bruce
(Police Scotland, PC - Community Officer, P Div - West Fife)