Watch Out for the Lastest Fraudster Tactics!

Have you ever dumped an old PC at a rubbish tip or recycling centre?
Did you make sure you had the hard drives wiped completely clean before doing so? If not, you could be one of the thousands of people at risk having their bank account details sold to fraudsters in Nigeria, according to revelations on a BBC documentary.

Computers which are left at tips or recycling centres are often sent out to Africa for dismantling and/or repair. However, fraudsters in the African country of Nigeria have discovered that many of the computer hard drives have not been completely wiped clean thus still contain personal information about the previous owner – including their bank account details. They then sell this priceless information for JUST £20. And of course, the purchasers know how to make the most of their £20 investment - so beware!

If you are planning to get rid of an old computer, take a few simple precautions: 1. Back up any data you need to keep - a USB is the best option for this. 2. Either remove and destroy the hard drive 3. Alternatively use a specialist who has the software to ensure it is properly wiped. These experts will make sure any floppies or writable disks are also removed. You could always use free downloadable software - just search around on the internet, however I'd rather pay someone a couple of pounds to make sure it's wiped properly.