YA SOKO | Be Safe Online
We want you to be safe online.
This page provides some advice and guidance about keeping yourself and your money safe online. Please note that any legitimate correspondence from YA SOKO come from one of the following emails domains. Any others are likely to be a cyber scam.
✓ support@ya-soko.com
✓ wholesale@ya-soko.com
✓ data@ya-soko.com
✓ marketing@ya-soko.com
✓ info@ya-soko.com
✓ compliance@ya-soko.com
For support or to check the legitimacy of a communication please contact us at: support@ya-soko.com with a full background and links please.
What are cyber scams?
Cyber scams are fraudulent schemes that use the internet, email, phone calls, text messages, or other online platforms to deceive and defraud people. Cyber scammers may pretend to be legitimate businesses, organisations, or individuals, and offer fake products, services, prizes, or opportunities. They will often look to exploit emotions such as fear, greed, pity or embarrassment, and create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting before you have fully considered the request.
They may also try to trick people into revealing their personal or financial information, such as passwords, bank account details, credit card numbers, or identity documents. Cyber scammers can use this information to access people's accounts, steal their money, or commit identity theft.
At YA SOKO, we take online safety very seriously. We are aware of fraudsters’ ways of exploiting customers, including scams by email or text message, posing as YA SOKO on social media or simply trying to guess your password to get into your account.
Here are our suggestions to help you stay safe online.
✓ Create A Strong Password - It Is So Important
Your email account contains a lot of personal information about you, and is usually linked to other online accounts you use. If your email account is compromised, all your other passwords can be reset. So, it's important you secure your email account with a strong password that is different to all your others.
To create one, we recommend the '3 random words' method: simply connect three random, memorable words that mean something to you together – the longer and the more characters used the better. If you need to change your password on your email account to make it stronger, just click here:
✓ Try Not To Save Passwords In Your Browser
Using the same passwords for all your accounts makes you vulnerable, because if that one password is stolen, all your accounts can be accessed. Use a unique password for each one, and remember to have different passwords especially for your email and YA SOKO accounts.
The more passwords you have, the harder to remember, right? So, it's a good idea to save and manage your passwords in the browser you use.
If you need help, check out handy instructions for your preferred browser here:
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
Firefox
Safari
✓ Back up your devices
Yep, things can go wrong sometimes. And, if you lose your phone, tablet or laptop – or your accounts are accessed by someone trying to steal your information – you could permanently lose all your sensitive personal data.
To prevent this, make sure you back up your information. It's up to you how much data you choose to back up - all of it, or just what is important to you.
The best way to do it is to turn on automatic backup on your devices. For help, check out the below:
Apple Mac
Apple - iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Google Devices Android
Microsoft Windows 10
✓ TurnOn Two-Factor Authentication.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a free security feature that adds double protection on your important accounts, like email or social media.
2FA stops someone else getting into your accounts, even if they have your password. It asks you to provide a code sent by text, or via an app on your phone, to confirm it's really you accessing the account.
Depending on the online services or apps you use, it can be called 2FA, two-step verification, or multi-factor authentication. If it's available, it’s always safest to turn it on, especially on the accounts you care most about.
✓ Need Help With Two-Factor Authentication?
To protect your email account, click here: Gmail; Yahoo; Outlook; AOL
For your social media accounts, click here: Instagram; Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn
For secure banking, your bank should provide you with that service automatically; just make sure they have your correct phone number.
✓ Keep Your Devices Up To Date
We all love online shopping on our phones, tablets or laptops. But we need to make sure they don't have any weaknesses that can be exploited. To protect sensitive data on your devices and keep them secure, always ensure the latest app and software updates are installed.
The best way to do it is to turn on automatic updates on your device, so you don’t have to think about it.
Need help? For app updates, check out these links for Google Android and Apple iOS.
Or, for the latest software updates, check out these links for Android Smartphones & Tablets, Apple Mac, Apple iOS and iPad, and Microsoft Windows 10.
If you are using Smart Devices at home, find out more about how to keep them secure here: Smart devices in the home.
✓ Avoid Phishing - Here’s How
Be aware of suspicious requests pushing you to give away your personal details, or offering you something that seems too good to be true. It’s usually a phishing scam.
If you receive a dodgy email, don’t click on any links and don’t open any attachments. Simply forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service report@phishing.gov.uk where the experts will take care of it for you.
If you receive a dodgy text, don't reply. Just forward it to 7726 (UK only), or report the number online at Ofcom.
Finally, if a number calling you looks suspicious, don’t answer – it could cost you a lot.
Further Suggestions That We Think May Be Useful:
✓ Fraud Advice
Always use websites with the secure padlock symbol.
Check your bank statements online often and report any anomalies to your bank.
Report any suspicious activity to https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Report lost or stolen cards immediately to your bank.
Do not auto-fill or remember card information or credentials on a shared device.
Log out of your account after every session on a shared device.
✓ Before you report a potential unauthorised transaction on your card, please consider the below:
Is the charge for a Premier Delivery subscription?
Was the order placed by a friend, family or someone who has access to your payment details?
Are there other cards associated with the account that may have been used?
Have you recently cancelled an order? Some banks show this transaction as pending.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud please contact us through the Help pages with details of the transaction (including date, time, amount and currency of your order and the last 4 digits of the card you used), and we can assist you further.
Never provide your full card number or screenshots of your bank account through email or live chat.
✓ Keeping your card data safe
✓ Enhancing your “stay safe online experience”
Always check you are shopping with trusted retailers and only use secure sites, look for the padlock in the address bar when you are surfing the web. This means that your connection is encrypted, so your personal information will reach the site without anyone else being able to read it. That's important if you're sending things like credit card details, but it doesn't tell you who is at the other end of the connection.
If you want to go ahead with a purchase on a site you’re not sure is legitimate, use a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases.
Also, don’t give away too much information. There’re some obvious details that an online store will need, such as your address and your card details, but be cautious if they ask for details that are not required for your purchase such as your mother’s maiden name or the name of your primary school.
Don't worry, help is at hand if something goes wrong. Here are some useful links:
For the UK:
Information Commissioners Office
National Cyber Security Centre
Cyber Aware
SO STAY SAFE! STAY VIGILANT ONLINE
Cyber scams can be hard to spot and avoid, but there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your money:
✓ Be cautious and suspicious of any unsolicited or unexpected messages, calls, or websites that ask you to provide personal or financial information, click on a link, open an attachment, or transfer money. Do not respond or act on them unless you are sure the request is genuine and from a trusted source.
✓ Verify the identity and legitimacy of the sender, caller, or website before you engage with them. Check the email address, phone number, website address, or social media profile for any signs of fraud, such as spelling errors, unusual domains, or mismatched names. Contact the organisation or person directly using a different method or a verified number or address to confirm if they have contacted you.
✓ Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts. Do not re-use the same password for multiple accounts or devices, or share them with anyone else. Use a password manager to create and store complex passwords.
✓ Use two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your online accounts and devices, if available. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code, answer a question, or use a device to verify your identity when you log in or make a transaction.
✓ Use a secure and updated device, browser, and network when you go online. Protect your information by enabling your device’s screen lock with a passcode or biometric (e.g. Face ID or fingerprint scanner) . Install anti-malware software and other security tools, and keep them updated. Use a secure browser that blocks pop-ups and malicious websites, and clear your browsing history and cookies regularly.
✓ Avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks or and use a virtual private network (VPN) or a secure connection (https) when you access sensitive or confidential information. Links starting with http is often a sign that the site is not legitimate.
✓ Review your bank statements and credit reports regularly for any unusual or unauthorized transactions or activities. Report any suspicious or fraudulent charges or accounts to your bank or credit provider as soon as possible.
✓ Protect your personal data and don’t give it away freely on social media sites. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has guides for setting privacy controls on the main social media platforms.
✓ Educate yourself and others about cyber scams and how to prevent and report them. Stay informed about the latest scams and trends, and learn how to recognise and avoid them. Share your knowledge and experience with family, friends, and colleagues, and warn them about any scams you encounter or hear about.
✓ Report any cyber scams you experience or witness to the relevant authorities, such as your bank, the police, or the regulatory agencies. You can also report them to websites or organisations that help people fight against cyber scams, such as Action Fraud, Cyber Aware, or FCA's ScamSmart.
For more information:
Take 5 - National campaign offering straight forward, impartial advice on how to avoid scams
Action Fraud - You can report a crime or get general advice from Action Fraud
Cyber Aware - Government advice on how to stay safe online
FCA’s ScamSmart - Part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s website
