Many suffer from online harassment and bullying but it is not normal or acceptable. Although the acts, words and online technologies used vary, it is always very harmful.

It is simply not possible to avoid technology, as it is has become an indispensible tool for communication and socialising. No bully should be able to prevent a person developing skills with technology that benefit their life.

There is software that can form part of your strategy but is no substitution for being an involved and supportive influence in their online development.

There are many very harmful forms of sexual abuse that can happen over the Internet that do not involve physically meeting.

Scammers often promise a large pay-out or reward but ask for a smaller amount of money upfront. The pay-out doesn’t come and they take the money sent in advance.   

Fraudsters are willing to develop the relationship over an extended period of time. This increases the trust level between the victim and the fraudster, which results in the potential victim usually losing more money.

These methods of payment do not guarantee the identity or traceability of the person receiving the funds. There is no practical way to recover the funds once they have been taken.

Scammers will send money that is obtained illegally (stolen) or send counterfeit cheques and ask the person to send money to a different account or in a different form.

There are no silly mistakes with fraud, fraudsters are experienced and motivated to trick people and everyone is susceptible. You should always report fraud. At the very least it helps the government to properly resource the fight against fraud.