With scams on the rise, Fleurieu Police would like to offer the community some crime prevention tips to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a scam.

A scam is a dishonest act where someone may trick you into parting with your money. Scammers can be very convincing and invent seemingly legitimate reasons to make you part with your money.

Scammers will contact a person through emails, phone calls, text messages or letters.

To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, please consider the following crime prevention tips:

* Always know who you are communicating with and where your information is going. If you are uncertain, confirm the contact is legitimate through methods other than what they have provided.

* Never give your personal details, passwords, credit card or online account details to a person you cannot identify in an official capacity.

* Legitimate companies, particularly financial institutions will not send emails requesting you to log on to a link – log on independently if you need to access that site.

* Ignore emails and text messages which advise you have won a competition that you did not enter.

* Do not send money to receive lottery winnings or to claim a prize.

* Never give an unsolicited person remote access to your computer. You may compromise the security of your device and your personal information.

* Ensure your computer is protected with regularly updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

To report a scam or for further information visit www.cyber.gov.au

You can also visit our police website at https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/scams-and-cybercrime