Public Wi-Fi Warning After Scots Mum Loses Thousands in Scam
A warning has been issued about public Wi-Fi after a mother lost thousands in a scam that targeted her personal information
Dalkeith, Scotland, Public Wi-Fi, Scam, Cybercrime, Fraud
Dalkeith: A mum named Leanne Cherrie had a rough time recently. She lost a ton of money in a scam that started when her son used public Wi-Fi. It’s heartbreaking, really.
Leanne, 36, found out that crooks had gotten into her email and drained her bank account. They even took money that her son had inherited after his dad passed away. Can you imagine how awful that must feel?
Experts from Strathclyde University in Glasgow are warning everyone about the dangers of public Wi-Fi. They say it’s super easy for hackers to steal your info when you’re connected to these networks.
They explained that data on public Wi-Fi is often unencrypted. This means hackers can intercept your information, like passwords and credit card details. It’s a real risk for identity theft.
Leanne’s nightmare began on January 2 when friends started messaging her about strange activity on her Facebook. She quickly contacted the police, but her bank accounts were already frozen.
She was in a panic when she realized she couldn’t access her accounts. The bank told her that her email didn’t match, and that’s when she discovered her money was gone.
Leanne said her son often uses her phone on public Wi-Fi, and that’s likely how the hackers got in. They watched for people on open networks, got her email password, and then accessed everything else.
It’s a tough lesson learned. Leanne described her experience as a “living nightmare,” and now she’s left with just 33p in her account while the police investigate.
Steve Proffitt from Action Fraud warned that connecting to public Wi-Fi can be risky. He stressed the importance of being cautious and aware of the potential dangers.
A spokesperson from Police Scotland confirmed they’re looking into the case. They received a report about the hacking and theft on January 3.
So, if you’re using public Wi-Fi, be careful! Make sure the sites you visit are secure, avoid sensitive accounts, and double-check the network name before connecting.