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Collaboration & Campaign
18.10.2023

Ten ways Euroconsumers empowers consumers to stay online scam savvy

At the Global Anti Scam Summit, Euroconsumers shares the diverse tools and channels members use to empower consumers and fight online scams.

Euroconsumers and Deco Proteste at the Global Anti Scam Summit

Today, Euroconsumers and its Portuguese member Deco Proteste host the Global Anti Scam Summit on the 18-19th October in Lisbon.  Euroconsumers’ Els Bruggeman shares the work that our country members do to inform and empower consumers to stand up to online scams.

Online scams cost consumers billions 

According to the Global Anti Scam Alliance 300 million consumers across the world reported scams in 2021, suffering a total loss of almost $55 billion.

Hackers and online fraudsters use multiple tactics to get hold of consumers’ information, data and money. To counter this, consumer organisations need to grow consumers’ awareness, skills and confidence around scams in numerous different ways. 

Whether someone is worried they’ve just been scammed, or they want to install the highest level of protection on their laptop – there should be the right information and guidance for them at the right time.

Here are ten ways Euroconsumers and its members are reaching consumers: 

1. Building up the basics: general campaigns 

Introducing the big security picture to people is important. Simplifying key concepts and demystifying technical jargon and giving general security advice will give confidence and clarity: 

2. Focused guidance on fraudsters’ tactics toolbox 

Deeper dives into types of scam gives more information on what to do in specific circumstances, or if new, unfamiliar tools are used against consumers online:  

3. Red alert: immediate warning of new scams

New scams happen fast and getting the news out on what to watch out for is critical: 

4. Always aware, anytime anywhere

Scammers act anywhere and anytime that people are online, we give information on the times and places where scams are most likely:

5. Secure your data and devices 

The more data a scammer has, the easier fraud and identity theft is.  With the growth in connected home devices, there are now more access points from which personal data can be stolen. Tips on how to stop weak product security letting hackers in:

6. There is no such thing as ‘the consumer’

Different scam methods are used for different consumer age ranges or activities. Targeted advice for different consumer segments, and their friends and family includes: 

 7. Access to reviews and tools 

Euroconsumers members testing organisations and regularly carry out and weigh up the pros and cons of cybersecurity tools on the market:

8. Breaking the shame barrier

Our members carry out their own surveys, or publicise and share data collected by others. It’s important to show that everyone is concerned about scams and security, and that many people have been defrauded. It is a crime and it is nothing to be ashamed about. 

9. The enforcement wake-up call

Our members take action when platforms, traders, influencers and banks aren’t doing enough to protect consumers from scams and fraud. Publicising these cases also lets consumers know about scams and that organisations are there to stand up for them  when things go wrong: 

10.  Stronger together: new tools and campaigns

Eurconsumers and its members have developed their own tools in partnership with technical internet safety experts to give consumers knowledge and skills to stop scammers. 

Euroconsumers is part of the Raising Consumer Awareness panel at the Global Anti Scam Alliance’s fourth annual summit alongside KnowBe4, Sitecore, Scam Public Education Office, Singapore and Netsafe New Zealand.  The session will take a  deep-dive into the need for consumer awareness, unified and continuously, and showcase some best practices. The Global Anti Scam Summit is being held in Lisbon on 18th and 19th October and is hosted by Euroconsumers and Deco Proteste.

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