From time to time we receive e-mails telling us that we have 'messages waiting for us' or, that we have won this, that or the other. Others ask us to log on to change our banking details, some offer massive sums of money for helping “repatriate” money from Nigeria … and so on.

You undoubtedly know the sort of thin; we have addressed the issue before, but do so again now in greater detail.

What are these crooks trying to achieve?
There are different sorts of scams gong on. Some are aimed at getting you to reveal information about your on-line banking; others seek simply to get your bank or credit card details so that you can be targeted in various ways. Perhaps the most reprehensible group are those seeking to represent themselves as charities, while actually collecting money for themselves.

And while we are on the subject, would all the pretty girls in Russia please note that I am not looking for a new wife/partner/girlfriend, so could they please stop sending me invitations to liaise with them. I know that all they want to do is get money out of me and I am not playing ball!

Protect your money on-line
Joking aside, these scams all originate from dangerous criminals and have only one intention; to steal your money.

Some are slightly more subtle than others and ask for nothing indirectly at all. Instead they plant what is know as a “Trojan” in your PC through an attachment which purports to be an advert or message, but is actually a piece of software than enables them to track every keystroke you make on the PC. When you visit your on-line bank or give your credit card details to a secure website, they can record all your information and send it back to the criminals, who can then spend your money for you.

Every PC should have a firewall, Anti Virus and Spyware software. Most of these can be free, but the paid for versions are seldom expensive and offer far greater protection, because they will not only tell you if you have a problem but, in most cases, can fix it for you. If you use a wireless router (and most have this capacity even if you use wires) it must be password protected, or anyone can get into it. It is not just that they will use your bandwidth and slow you down; they can also get into your files and read – or even alter – them.

Some simple rules

• Virus check every file you receive or download with up-to-date software.
• Never click on links in e-mails unless you recognise the address in the link. But beware; what you see on the screen is not necessarily where you are being sent. As we have written previously, it is prefectly simple, in an e-mail or on a website, to force the link: www.bbc.co.uk take you to the ITV website! If in doubt, “copy and paste” the address into your browser – you will then see if the link takes you where you expected.
• Never give your bank or credit card details to ANY WEBSITE that does not include “https” at the very start of the address and have the closed padlock sign on the browser (Internet Explorer, some other browsers use different symbols.
• Check your router I password protected.
• Keep your Spyware software up to date.

In short, be vigilant and trust nobody you do not know.

As ever, when it comes to looking after our retirement planning and investments, vigilance and professional advice are essential. If you are wondering what to do contact Robert Bruce Associates for individual assistance.

NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN AS GIVING INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL ADVICE.