Protect your digital footprint and avoid common online scams with these helpful tips.
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more difficult for individuals to distinguish between legitimate offers and fraudulent activities. These scams can come in many forms, including phishing emails, fake online stores, malicious apps and social media fraud. They can lead to stolen personal information, lost funds and even identity theft.
Cybersecurity firm F-Secure conducted a study recently to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of online security among users in the United States. The study results were concerning, as they revealed a discrepancy between consumers’ confidence in their ability to recognize scams and their experience with falling victim to them.
The study found that 70 percent of consumers believed they were competent in spotting a phishing scam. It also revealed that 27 percent of the surveyed individuals had been victims of a phishing scam in the previous year. This disparity highlights the need for greater education and awareness around online security, as even those who feel confident in their abilities to identify scams can fall prey to them.
To ensure the safety of your personal information and finances, it’s crucial to be aware of online fraudulent activities and take measures to prevent them. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common online scams and provide practical tips on identifying and avoiding them.
Online shopping scam
Scammers frequently create fake or poorly-made online stores to entice people into revealing their credit card information. This can result in unauthorized and excessive use of the victim’s credit card data. Even if the scam website delivers a product or service, it is often low-quality and not worth the risk.
Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that handles consumer complaints, has reported that fake websites are among the most common online scams. These scams caused an estimated retail loss of about US$380 million in the United States in 2022. Unfortunately, this figure will likely be much higher as many cases go unreported.
Hence, it is vital to exercise caution when shopping online by utilizing only reputable websites, verifying secure payment options and perusing customer reviews before purchasing. Additionally, choose your payment method wisely when buying from a new online retailer to avoid potential issues. Use a credit card or PayPal for added protection, as credit cards offer complete fraud protection while debit cards may not.
Tech support scam
A tech support scam is a type of fraud where scammers pose as legitimate tech support representatives to deceive people into giving them access to their computers, personal information or payment details.
The scammers may use various tactics, such as cold-calling, pop-up ads or fake emails, to trick victims into thinking their computer has a virus or other problem that requires immediate attention. Once the scammers can access the victim’s computer or information, they may install malware or steal sensitive data for their own gain. They may also charge the victim for unnecessary or non-existent services.
To prevent becoming a victim of a tech support scam, be wary of pop-up warnings. Avoid clicking on any links or calling phone numbers displayed on the pop-up, as they may be fraudulent. Instead, seek advice directly from your security software provider. Also, never share your personal or financial information, including passwords, with anyone who contacts you.
Keeping your software up-to-date and using reliable antivirus software to scan your devices for malware regularly is also essential. Additionally, only purchase security software from reputable companies to ensure your protection against scams and viruses.
Dating scam
A dating scam, also known as a romance scam or fraud, occurs when a scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site or app—or catfishing—gains the victim’s trust often through emotional manipulation. The scammers may then ask for money or personal information to steal a user’s identity.
When engaging in online dating, stay on reputable and well-known dating sites or apps. Avoid moving the conversation off the dating platform to personal email, phone numbers or social media until you’re ready to take the next step or have met in person. Remember not to assume the person is safe to meet and cross-check their profile and images online. One way to do this is by using a reverse image search tool to find out if their image is linked to a different individual, name, individual or information that contradicts what you’ve been told.
Be wary of overly complimentary messages and take your time to ask questions and look for inconsistencies. When in doubt, seek a second opinion from a friend or family member. If you’ve decided to meet the person IRL, pick a public space or set up a video call, and lastly, avoid clicking on suspicious links or sending money to strangers.
Phishing
According to a report by Security Boulevard, a media outlet covering cybersecurity news, phishing attacks accounted for 22 percent of all data breaches in 2020. These attacks typically involve tricking individuals into giving away sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. Fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate businesses are a common tactic used by scammers. These emails often look professional and trustworthy, making it easy for users to unwittingly hand over their sensitive information.
To protect yourself from phishing scams, stay informed about new techniques and be cautious before clicking on links, especially on random sites or in emails. Installing anti-phishing toolbars and verifying the site’s security before submitting sensitive information are other effective measures. It is also vital to beware of pop-ups and use your internet browser settings to block them.
Job and employment scams
Job and employment scams involve scammers posing as recruiters or employers and using fake job postings to trick people into providing personal information or paying upfront fees for non-existent jobs or training materials.
To avoid falling for job scams, verify job openings through the official company website and conduct research on employers using keywords like “scam” or “complaint”. Watch out for red flags, such as being asked to pay for the job opportunity or providing personal information before an interview. Be wary of communication that is exclusively through email or messaging and avoid depositing checks or wiring money. Remember to trust your instincts and do not proceed if you feel something is not right.
These are some of the common online scams you must watch out for. By staying informed and being cautious, you can protect yourself and your finances from online fraud. Remember always to verify the legitimacy of any online transactions and be wary of unsolicited messages and requests for personal information or payment.
Also read:
- Top 5 Common Online Dating Scams
- Common Crypto Scams and How to Protect Yourself Against Them
- Top Five NFT Scam
- 3 Causes of Data Breaches and How You Can Prevent Them
- Danger! Hackers Are Using Fake Apps to Take Your Money
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