UK Gmail and Yahoo users urged to take action after £5.9 million lost to cybercrime

 

A fresh cybercrime alert has been issued for UK residents—especially those using Gmail, Yahoo, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. New research from Equifax reveals

that cybercriminals stole a staggering £5.9 million from Brits in 2024 alone.

The most common entry points for these attacks? Email and social media accounts. Over 36,000 incidents were reported via these platforms last year, prompting a warning for all users to remain extra cautious.

Cybercrime Hotspots in the UK

Equifax's findings, based on National Fraud Intelligence Bureau data, also show that cybercrime risk varies by region:

- East of England had the highest rate: 14.9 incidents per 1,000 people, with losses totalling £722,400

- South Wales followed with 11.8 incidents per 1,000, costing £16,200

 London recorded 10.3 incidents per 1,000 people, leading to £849,100 in losses

“Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated”

Phillip Davies, Chief Information Security Officer at Equifax Europe, warned:

“The growing sophistication of cyberattacks poses a serious threat to the economy, personal privacy, and national security. We urge everyone to prioritise cybersecurity.”

5 crucial steps to stay safe

To help protect users from falling victim, Equifax shared five essential safety tips:

- Secure your devices with passwords, fingerprint scans, or facial recognition.

- Avoid clicking on links unless you’re 100% sure who sent them.

- Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords.

- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all apps and accounts.

- Download apps only from official stores (like the App Store or Google Play)—never third-party sites.

Equifax also recommends making your social media profiles private and setting up log-in alerts to monitor unusual activity. Avoid using public Wi-Fi when accessing sensitive accounts, and always stay alert. Photo by Stock Catalog, Wikimedia commons.

 

 


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