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Find out more about online scams and security

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Get Safe Online

Get Safe Online is the UK's national internet security awareness drive.

Running from 16 to 20 November, Get Safe Online Week aims to raise awareness of internet security to make sure everyone can use the internet confidently and safely.

Despite improvements in installing computer security and public awareness of common scams, a report produced for Get Safe Online Week 2009 found that:

• 34 per cent of UK internet users still report being the victim of a computer virus attack
  
• 22 per cent have experienced a phishing scam
  
• 21 per cent have been a victim of identity fraud

Visit the Get Safe Online website to make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest internet security measures and online scams.

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'Money mules' tricked into online money laundering

One of the scams being highlighted at Get Safe Online Week involves 'money mules' -  victims recruited by fraudsters to 'launder money' by transferring it online for them.

Fraudsters are increasingly using recruitment websites to trick people into thinking they have secured a real job as a financial manager, money transfer agent, shipping manager or even mystery shopper.

Taken in by the chance of high earnings for little work, victims instead end up labelled as criminals. They can also have their bank accounts frozen and are often personally responsible for repaying the full amount of money they have laundered.

Cabinet Office minister Angela Smith said: "Scams such as this can end up landing you in trouble with the law, which is why we're asking all internet users to take some time out of their week to visit the Get Safe Online website and make sure they are up-to-date with the latest threats and advice."

To find out more about how scams like this work, visit the Get Safe Online website by following the link below.

• Get Safe Online Opens new window

More on Directgov

• Be secure online (home and community section)

• How to avoid online fraud (home and community section)

• Keeping children safe online (parents section)

• Staying safe online (young people section)

• Internet use and computer training for over 50s (pensions and retirement planning section)