6 Expert Tips to Avoid Online Fraud

Online fraud has become one of the biggest security challenges for both individuals and businesses. Fraudsters never stand still; they constantly exploit new channels and situations to trick people into sharing information or money.  
 
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common fraud tactics:  

• Phishing
  Fake emails designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. 

• Smishing
  The SMS equivalent of phishing, often appearing as urgent requests from banks, delivery services, or government agencies. 

• Spoofing
  When criminals falsify phone numbers, email addresses, or websites so they appear legitimate. 

• SIM-swapping
  Fraudsters persuade a mobile operator to issue a new SIM card in your name, taking control of your number and intercepting login codes.

Cyber Security Month for Awareness

With Cyber Security Month upon us, now is the perfect time to revisit this advice and share practical steps we can all take to strengthen our digital defenses. That’s why our experts, Information Security and Compliance Specialist, Cecilie Enger and Information Security Associate, Wiktoria Pazdan, have gathered their best advice on how to protect yourself. 

Before we dive into the practical tips, we asked our experts what they believe makes people fall victim to attacks that, to many, might seem obvious and, most importantly, what we should do in such situations. 

Cecilie Enger explains why small moments of stress or curiosity often make us vulnerable.

Wiktoria Pazdan highlights that technical measures are important, but human awareness is always the first line of defense.

Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Customers from Online Fraud

1) Be skeptical of unexpected requests

• Don’t share personal details via email or SMS. 

• Avoid clicking links unless you are certain of the sender. 

Remember: no legitimate company will ever ask for your BankID codes or passwords over text or email. 
 

2) Double-check the sender 

1. In emails: scrutinize the address - tiny differences can expose fraud (e.g., @gmaiIl.com instead of @gmail.com). 

2. For SMS: Always check the sender and have you received messages from this sender before? Does it make sense that they would contact you by SMS? And is the content really directed at you? 

3. On calls: don’t trust caller ID. Hang up and call back using the official number. 

For companies: secure your sender ID with SenderID Protection to reassure your customers that your brand is in fact the real sender. 
 

3) Secure your phone against SIM-swapping

• Set a PIN code for your SIM card. 

• Ask your operator to add restrictions on issuing replacement SIMs. 

• Treat sudden loss of network as a warning sign. 

4) Use strong, unique passwords

• Create long passwords using a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters. 

• Never reuse passwords across accounts. 

• Use a reputable password manager to stay secure and organized. 
   

5) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

• Turn on 2FA for all important accounts. Any account that requires a username and password should also have two-factor authentication enabled, ideally linked to your personal phone number. This adds a unique layer of security, ensuring that only you can access your accounts and preventing others from misusing your apps and services. 
   

6) Act fast if you become a victim

• Contact your bank immediately to block cards or accounts. 

• Report the incident to the police. 

• Notify the service involved so they can warn others. 

For companies: it is important to inform your recipients about what they can expect to receive from you. What wording do you use, which sender name, and for example: what will you never ask for in an SMS? Setting these expectations makes it easier to spot fraudulent messages. Always encourage your recipients to report anything suspicious, so you can take action and warn others. 

Cyber security isn’t just about technology. It’s about people. Each of us plays a role in keeping our digital spaces safe, and sometimes the smallest actions make the biggest difference.

Cecilie’s reminder highlights how awareness begins with individual actions and simple habits. Building on that idea, Wiktoria Pazdan adds.

Cyber Security Month is a reminder that digital safety is everyone’s responsibility. By staying alert, verifying before acting, and responding quickly when something goes wrong, we can all contribute to a safer digital environment.