Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Peter McCall, is supporting Get Safe Online Week (9 – 13 October) in the county.
Every year, leading online safety advisory organisation, Get Safe Online, holds Get Safe Online Week, which focuses on a particular topic helping people to use the internet with safety, security and confidence. This year’s topic is You, the Internet and Trust.
Throughout the week, Get Safe Online, will be promoting information and advice on trust and the internet, including:
- Dedicated posts across social media from ‘Get Safe Online’ channels
- A dedicated podcast speaking to GSO CEO, Tony Neate, Mike Haley, CEO at CIFAS and Jill Cotton, Head of PR at Gumtree, discussing the role of trust when buying and interacting with websites and online marketplaces. The podcast can be found on Soundcloud – Stream episode Get Safe Online Podcast – GSO Week 2023 by Get Safe Online podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
- Wednesday 11 October, Get Safe Online will be hosting a Facebook Live BBC broadcast journalist, Linda McCauley and CEO Tony Neate, to discuss the importance of trusting the content you read online.
- Thursday 12 October, the team will be hosting a webinar on the role of trust and inclusivity on the internet. Panelists include Neighbourhood Watch, DeafBlind UK and the British Polio Fellowship. To register and learn more visit: https://www.getsafeonline.org/you-the-internet-and-trust-webinar/
- Friday 13 October, Get Safe Online will be sharing details of a recent story where a farmer put a deposit down for machinery that never turned up, having ‘trusted’ a contact they met via social media.
Speaking on Get Safe Online Week, PFCC Peter McCall, said: “Many of us will use the internet daily for an array of reasons, but it is imperative that we all understand that there is always a person on the other end of any interaction we have.
“From social media, streaming, reading the news or accessing official services such as council tax payments, we all need to know that we can trust the services we access and that we do not put our trust in those who have ulterior motives, such as fraudsters.
“This week, Get Safe Online will be providing information and tips on how to best place your trust and how to spot the signs of someone who may take advantage of this.
“I would urge residents and businesses to tune in to some of the events that Get Safe Online are promoting or simply visit their website www.getsafeonline.org to learn more about how they can keep themselves safe in cyber-space.
“I would also urge anyone who has been affected by a cyber-crime to report it to the Police on 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”
