In the present context, the Internet is one of the most powerful platforms people use to gather information and keep relationships alive and the best entertainment medium. It is the most convenient way to reach the world and get updated without spending much money and time.
Using the Internet is not rocket science anymore!
The kids and adults of this generation are so familiar with the usage. But when we use the Internet freely, we need to be cautious as there might be certain risks in terms of security. Some digital pros use their knowledge of Information Technology to create misleading applications that can make other internet users fall into trouble.
Online scams are the most common way to fall into a trap. A person or an app may “lie” to you to gain an advantage. It might make you pay money for certain things or try to get information or other digital material that is highly personal to you.
8 Common types of scams at a glance!
Knowing the types of scams you might get caught in is essential to use the Internet wisely and stay protected. The scammers make sure to update themselves with different kinds of new techniques to steal your money or personal information.
There are a lot of styles, but here are the most common ones.
- Charity scams
The charity scams are among the most common ways scammers try out. It is straightforward to win the sympathy of people for charity. Charity scams happen when a thief poses as a real charity organization or makes up a name of a charity that may sound so real that people fall for it. The thieves or scammers can quickly get your money through this method.
These types of scams often come out during the holiday season and natural disasters and emergencies like droughts, storms, floods, or earthquakes. If you follow a donation page, be very confident of the organization and the causes.
Also, if any charity page follows you and you have yet to donate, beware!
They might be researching you or your actions to make it to their next target. If you want to contribute, please dig into the details as much as possible before transferring funds.
- Debt collection scams
Most of the time, the debt collectors contact you personally to collect the debt money you owe them. The scammers may use the same method and contact you for the money you never owe anyone. They might sound so real that you may forget whether you are in debt. Keep personal information private from them if you get any such call or an email. Also, always verify the company names and the details before you conduct further conversations or relationships with them. It is ideal to get all the information about the company in written format so that you have proof if you need it in the future.
- Deft relief organizations
Like the Debt collector, the scammers could appear as debt relief or settlement organizations. So, it is the same procedure. They ask for your debt details and personal information to settle the debts. So, it would be best to be very careful when dealing with such conversations. It would be best to be wary of the organizations that ask for upfront money before performing the service.
- Money transfer scams
The money transfer or mobile payment services are also a way of performing online scams. It is one of the easiest and expected ways to trick people. Selling concert and sports tickets is trendy. You may pay and never receive your tickets. This could happen the other way. The scammers might purchase an item from you and act like they are transferring the money to your account.
But they cancel it before the money reaches your bank account. To avoid such situations, use mobile payment services only with family or other parties you can trust completely. Never send money to those whom you do not know. If you feel caught, contact your banking partner immediately and update them about the situation.
- Prize scams |Lottery scams
Prize or lottery scams are one of the ways that scammers can quickly get people’s attention. In this case, the scammers may call or email you to tell you you have won a prize or a lottery. This might also happen through an SMS. Then, they will ask you to pay upfront to claim your prize or the lottery money. In such cases, do not provide personal information. Or the highly confidential financial information. Those include the bank account numbers or the credit card information. Avoid offering such data to unknown parties. If the sender requests immediate payment, there is always a doubt about the situation. So, be safe in sharing the information with such parties.
- Romance
Scammers also use Romance to trick you. It is a much easier way to get to the target. They follow several different ways. They usually operate online. These scammers may try to get familiar with you before starting the actual game. They would spend much time getting to know you and winning your trust. Once they establish the belief, they might slowly move into the topic of finance. They might ask for a loan or to lend money for emergencies. So, it would be best to be careful of what information you share with outsiders. So, please do not share personal or financial information with them. Strictly refrain from sharing sensitive information like bank or credit card details, social security numbers, or other personal information.
- Mail fraud
Mail fraud is another way of getting into the scammer’s traps. You might get spam emails asking for funds. It is also similar to the prize or lottery winning. They might follow the same way, mentioning that you have won a prize or a lottery and sharing certain personal information to claim the price.
- Antivirus scams |Software scams
Antivirus and software scams are another popular way of getting into trouble. You usually get a company call or email saying a virus attacks you. They request to download an antivirus to repair your phone or the computer. So, when you install the software, they can take over your computer and control all the actions performed afterward. They can then easily access your personal information; any essential documents are the bank or financial details. Ultimately, they might ask you to pay a large sum to retrieve your computer’s files and operating system. So, only download foreign apps or software after confirming their safety.
Effects of online scamming
There are various ways that these online scams affect people. The victim might get highly embarrassed and upset about the loss of money. And they might feel depressed or guilty about the act of impulse. This might also lead to long-term mental instability in adults. So, being educated about online scams and protecting yourself is essential.
How to avoid scams?
Cyber security is the most important thing to protect yourself from online scammers. You must ensure your password is robust so no one besides you can use it.
Here are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself from scammers.
Do not open emails from people that you do not know.
Only open the company or the sender if you are sure about the company or the sender. Also, please only click on links in the email if you are confident.
You must be careful about the new links and the web addresses.
These sites and addresses may appear identical to most reputed and safe websites, but scammers can easily mislead you by making similar web addresses and sites. So, double-check the links and addresses before you move forward.
Make sure to secure your personal information.
And think twice when sharing them with an unknown party. It would be best to be very careful about sharing passwords, account numbers, and other bank details or personal information with third parties.
Read and get updated about cyber threats and crimes.
It will make you well aware of the latest things that might happen and how to avoid them and stay protected.
Strong Passwords can save us!
- Use a strong password for all the essential documents and information folders.
Never use outdated software.
Keep all the software updated and protected. It is also essential to update and upgrade all the software and the apps you use. Older and outdated apps and software are a target of the hackers.
Antivirus guards can safeguard you to a greater extent.
Install a recommended and reputed antivirus to your computer, phone, and other sensitive information devices.
Use email filters.
Make the email filter the spam and protect it from unwanted messages or emails.
Staying protected when you shop online is essential to avoid being scammed online.
Here are a few tips that you can follow.
- Check the sources or the credibility before applying your credit card information on the shopping sites.
- Check as a guest to get the relevant information about the trustworthiness of the site and the company.
- Do not use the same password for all the accounts you have,
- Research on new and sketchy websites
- Keep track of your reports and alerts for your information and money safety.
Answers for frequently asked questions
As a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience, I have answered a few of the most common questions here. If you seek advice, please contact me.
How do I stop falling victim to online scams?
You can stop getting into trouble if you follow the following steps.
- Make sure to recheck the requests for your personal information and money.
- Be careful of the phishing scams.
- Only respond to phone calls from unknown numbers and people if you trust them.
- Keep the mobile and electronic devices secure and protected.
- Use a solid password.
- Review your security settings and privacy details on all the social media you engage in.
How do you protect against scams?
Follow these three simple steps to stay protected from the scams,
- Do not give your personal information to anyone whom you do not trust.
- Think twice before you answer a call or reply to an email from an unknown.
- If you feel you are scammed, act fast.
How can I avoid online bank scams?
It is essential to keep yourself protected from bank scams. Below are some steps that you could follow to protect yourself.
- Always use an uncommon or a unique password across different accounts.
- Enable the multifactor or biometric authentication to protect yourself.
- Never click or log in to known websites or links.
Wrapping up…
Suppose you know cyber-crime and the security process; you can stay protected from scammers. So, make sure to get yourself updated and protected against such.
