Everyone with a Gmail or Yahoo account must follow 5 new rules this month

Anyone with a Yahoo, Gmail or Outlook account needs to be on high alert this month. It appears that August is a prime time to get scammed and ignoring 5 useful tips could leave some seriously out of pocket.

That's according to UK-based IT security firm FoxTech, which says summer is the riskiest month of the year as cyber crooks try to cash in as people head away for that all-important break or simply take their eye off the ball as they relax.

Explaining more, FoxTech said: “Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they’re caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive.”

“Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution."

With that in mind, it's now vital to stay alert and not click on any links or reply to messages without taking time to check that things are real.

"Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you’re clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption," Foxtech added.

“People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don’t exist, only to realise they’ve handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals."

Along with holiday scams, it's always good to be reminded about the usual bogus delivery texts and emails.

These often suggest that a delivery has been missed, and a small fee is needed to get things sent out again.

“Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data,” the team at Foxtech added. “Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches.”

If you have an inbox that is overflowing with messages. Here are 5 rules that FoxTech says can help to keep you and your data safe

• Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action.

• Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier’s official website instead of clicking the link.

• Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it’s the official booking platform before paying.

• Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise.

• Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen.