[WATCH] ĠEMMA launches educational eBook on common financial scams

ĠEMMA, the government's portal on financial capability, has launched an educational eBook on scam and fraud schemes which could target members of the public.

The eBook, issued on Wednesday, aims to increase the public's knowledge and awareness on such potential threats, with a view towards enabling individuals to take the necessary action to prevent themselves from being scammed and suffer a possible financial loss.

In the form of an easy reading "Little Black Book", ĠEMMA team has incorporated 10 commandments that cover most of the various scams and fraud schemes that one might encounter.

This covers both traditional-based frauds, such as ad-hoc telephone calls, as well as more technology-inspired ones operating on the internet internet, which result in hacking and the stealing of information.

ĠEMMA team leader David Spiteri Gingell, highlighing the importance of educating the public on such threats, said the Little Black Book was directed towards those aged 16 and over who were accessing a credit card for the first time

The eBook provides useful and practical tips on how online credit card users can protect themselves, such as by protecting their identity, paying using a secure payments service and where suspected cases of fraud can be reported. 

IT jargon is avoided in the eBook, making it understandable to the average person.

The ĠEMMA team within the Office of the Permanent Secretary falls under the remit of the Family Ministry.

Permanent Secretary Mark Musu said the eBook was another channel adopted by ĠEMMA to increase educational knowledge on money management.

The Little Black Book of Scams and Frauds, the first of a series of other ebooks that ĠEMMA is launching may be downloaded for free here. Registration is optional. 

ĠEMMA will be holding a webinar about the eBook on 30 June 2020. Details will be announced closer to the day.