POLICE chiefs have launched a campaign designed to help social media users stay safe.

The scheme includes a guide with safety tips on how to avoid falling victim to cyber criminals.

DS Brian Faint said: “Criminals thrive on obtaining your personal information from these accounts to commit fraud, cyber and cyber-enabled crime.

"Without your information they cannot commit this crime, therefore I urge you to think before you post any social media messages."

Cheshire Police's security tips:

• Check your settings:
Check your privacy settings to make sure only those you want to can see your profile and posts. Even then, you can’t be sure that your information won’t be shared.

• Too much info: A lot of the information that many people put online can be used by fraudsters. For example, don’t use your real date of birth in your profile.

• To click or not to click?: On Facebook, Twitter and many other social media sites, you’ll often get invited to click on a link to a freebie, special offer or charity appeal ... or to view sensational content. Be very careful what you click on as it may take you to a fraudulent website.

• What goes online, stays online: It’s easy to post or share a photo, but probably impossible
 to delete or control what happens 
to it next. That includes abusive or embarrassing comments, sexy pics and things you might regret saying the next morning. Your employer might see it too! Think before you post or send.

• Abuse, bullying, stalking: Report any kind of abuse you encounter on social media, and unfriend the perpetrator. And, of course, doing the same thing to others is a no-no ... it’s harmful and unnecessary.

• Protecting your kids: Posting pics of your kids? Turn off geolocation in your settings so they can’t be tracked. If they use Snap Maps, tell them to switch on Ghost Mode to keep their location hidden. Talk to them about who they accept as friends, and online stranger danger. That’s good advice for big kids (adults) too. And remember that most social media sites have lower age limits.

• Away from home?: It’s great posting updates or pics about what a fantastic holiday you’re having, but that could also be telling everyone that your home is unoccupied. Some insurance companies are rejecting burglary claims for this very reason. Again, think before you post or send.

• Be your own person:
 Don’t get swayed to do something you know is wrong, and don’t do it to others.