In this article, we will make you aware of some of the most frequent online scams and some great tips on how to protect yourself.
The Internet can be used to learn something new, keep in contact with one's friends, and discover new interests. Unfortunately, it also creates a set of risks due to people who would try to take advantage of someone who may not expect such a thing to occur. Yes, there are scams galore out there on the Internet; knowing how to find them and steer clear of their traps will keep one safe. In this article, we will make you aware of some of the most frequent online scams and some great tips on how to protect yourself.
1. Phishing Scams
Identity theft is a fraud designed by fraudsters for the sole purpose of stealing another person's identity. In this regard, fraudsters send emails texts, or messages through messaging services from some well-recognized bank or company. Most of these are urgent requests to click the link or provide sensitive information such as a password or credit card number.
How to Avoid Phishing Scams
Always validate the sender's email address or source of the message. Be wary if the email contains any of the hallmarks of a hoax; most of the time this is due to the unfamiliar phrasing or spelling by the reader. If a person receives a message that he suspects may be questionable, then he mustn't click on any links or attachments. You can manually re-type the website address of the organization in your browser. For example, should you receive an email from any bank asking you to provide information, access the website of that bank by directly typing its URL address and not by clicking on the link in your email.
2. Bogus Web Stores
It includes online shopping fraud, which is made up of very attractive offers for goods unrealistically cheap. These sites would more often than not look like any well-known store but then turn out to be actually set up to rip one off. Sometimes, one pays for items that will never arrive or gets goods that are of low standards, totally different from the described ones.
How to Avoid Online Fake Stores
Do a little research about the website before buying from them. Can you find customer reviews about a product? Do they give a contact number, perhaps even a return policy? At the least, the address in the web address should start with "https," meaning encrypted. If it seems way too good to be true in price or no direct contact information about the website is given, you may want to keep away from using it altogether. And use a secure form of payment such as a credit card vs. a gift card or debit card.
3. Ransomware
Over the past year or two ransomware has been one variant of malware that "locks" your computer or encrypts all of your files until a ransom payment is made. It is devastating if you are unfortunate enough not to have backups of the most valuable data.
How to prevent ransomware?
The operating system of the computer and other software must be updated with recent security patches. Antivirus installed and updated from time to time reliably protects one from malware. While downloading something or clicking links from unknown sources, show some care. Back up all important files regularly on some external hard drive or on some cloud service. In this way, once ransomware has locked your files, you will not lose everything.
4. Tech Support Scams
The scam artists of tech support may impersonate technical representatives from well-recognized companies. They will call or text afterward, informing you that something is wrong with your computer. From that, they might try to trick you into allowing remote access to the computer or pay for repairs you never need.
How to avoid tech support scams?
For those unsolicited calls, or some message telling you that there is a person on the other side for technical support, it would be better on your part to dismiss the call altogether. Very seldom does any authentic technology company doing business today cold-call people without being asked to do so. You can reach their technical support department through their website or customer care number if you suspect some problem in the performance of your computer. Never allow your computer to be accessed remotely by some unidentified/untrusted person.
5. Lottery and Prize Scams
Lottery and prize scams involve hoodwinking the victims to make them believe that they have won a large sum of money or some kind of prize worth millions. Most of these scams require one to pay certain kinds of fees or taxes for the release of the said prize, which is often an illusion, and all the fraudster wants is your money.
How to avoid lottery and prize scams?
Be suspicious of a message that would make you believe you have won something you have never entered into. Real lotteries or prizes do call for one to enter into some form of competition before being announced the winner. Therefore, in the event that one is to get any form of notification regarding your win without first entering such a competition, this must be a scam. Never send money or personal information in hopes of claiming a prize.
6. Investment Scams
Investment scams promise a high return but usually come with little or no risk. Scammers might also convince you to invest in schemes and opportunities that sound too good to be true with convincing marketing material and professional-looking material.
How not get themselves hooked by investment scams?
Be suspicious when some investment opportunities promise returns that seem abnormally high with very low risk. Research any investment well before allowing money to be invested, and have that reviewed by a qualified certified financial advisor. If a person is pushing you to invest quickly, this for sure is a red flag. Legitimate investment opportunities do not push you to an immediate decision.
7. Social Media Scams
Social media frauds come in several shapes and sizes. Con artists send you fake profiles, conduct fraudulent contests or giveaways, or some other direct message to dupe you out of your information or cash.
How to protect yourself from fraud via social networks?
Be suspicious of strangers on social networks. Never click on links or give your personal information to accounts that are not known. Whether you find some kind of contest or giveaway that sounds too good to be true, first check whether it is true. Look for some sign of authenticity, like the account being verified or the contact information provided.
8. Romance Scams
The romance scam is generally perceived to be the process of building an online relationship that is of a romantic nature and through which money or gifts are begged from the target.
How to avoid the romance scam?
Take your own time in knowing a person and do not give any in-depth personal details or money till and unless you are comfortable. Be wary if a person whom you have never met personally asks you for money. A relationship based on trust and mutual respect and not money issues is a true one.
9. Auction Scams
Websites that facilitate auctioning of goods facilitate this fraud in auctioning. These scams advertise items that may not exist or goods whose condition and description are not accurate. Immediately after you win such an auction and pay for it, you may never see it, or probably quite different from what you believed.
How to avoid auction scams
avail services of only genuine auction sites and read the description about the merchandise. Check previous customers' feedback/ratings about the seller, their reputation, and whether he/she delivers what he/she promises. Be wary if a deal sounds 'too good to be true' and check on the condition and authenticity of the merchandise, prior to attempting to bid for it.
10. Job Scams
They promise you a job that doesn't exist and often claim that an upfront payment is required for supplies or training. What really infuriates people about job scams is that desperate persons seeking work get deceived by them.
How to avoid Job Scams?
Research well any job that is offered to you before accepting the same. Be wary when an employer asks you to pay to train or for materials. No valid company would ask their prospective candidate for any money. Look for reviews or feedback about the company, and from some reliable source, check whether the company is valid or not.
11. Subscription scams
Subscription scams involve the scammer getting you to subscribe to some sort of service, either which you don't want or don't need. Quite often, there will be a free "trial" whereby you put in your credit card number, after which it's then made impossible to cancel before going live into a paid subscription. Other times, they bury the subscription fees until it's too late.
How does one protect themselves against subscription scams
Go through the terms and conditions as one signs up for a free trial of whatever service there is. Let one make sure they understand how they will be able to cancel it if it's not what they want. Go on and go through bank statements in search of charges not anticipated, and ring customer service immediately when they see anything suspicious.
12. Fake Charities
They make pretenses of being a real charity so that donations start coming in. At times, they emotionally play upon feelings to lure money for donations or just come up with similar-sounding names so that people will end up giving the money to them. Actually, most of the time, that money goes straight into the scammer's pocket instead of going to the needy.
How to Avoid Scams Posing as Charities?
Before giving, contact an official charity watchdog organization to verify that your favorite charity is registered; review their financial transparency for proof that they are doing a good job of putting donations to productive use. Beware of high-pressure tactics or unsolicited requests for money.
Conclusion
Safe use of the internet requires knowledge and awareness. Knowing some of the most common frauds and how to take evasive action, you will not fall victim to fraudsters but rather may reap all the benefits achievable online. Never stop being suspicious of each and every offer and type of communication. In case of doubt, verify authenticity through sources that you can trust. Be aware and make the right decisions to avoid fraudsters who want to become a part of your personal data and your money.
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