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Phishing emails double in number

Consumers have been warned to be extra vigilant following revelations that phishing scam emails have increased by close to 200 per cent.

According to payments body APACS, the rogue emails which sometimes ask for money or request for personal information under the guise of being a user's bank have increased by 180 percent.

Some 20,600 such scams were reported in the first six months of this year alone, a significant rise compared to 7,200 reported at the same time, according to Sky News.

Despite the alarming figures the body warned that chances of falling victim to online banking fraud were relatively low but urged consumers to be vigilant.

"We strongly urge banking customers to make sure they remain wary of online scams such as unsolicited emails claiming to be from their bank," said communications director Sandra Quinn.

She said it was advisable for consumers to stick to fully protected PCs which should be equipped with regularly updated anti-virus software and a functioning firewall system.

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