Protect Yourself: How To Avoid These 05 Popular Online Scams
Ninety-eight percent of cybercrime happens online. Some of the most popular methods for getting you to part with your personal information include sending a fake email, posting a phishing link on social media, and using ransomware. Whether you're just browsing the web or online shopping, there are many ways that criminals can scam you out of your money and sensitive information. You might not even know when they're trying to scam you! Learn how to spot these 10 scams so that you can avoid them.
Facebook Scams
There are a few different types of Facebook scams that you
should be aware of. One popular scam is the Facebook friend request scam. This
is where someone will send you a friend request, and if you accept it, they
will then have access to your personal information. They may also send you
messages that contain links to malicious websites.
Another type of Facebook scam is the fake Facebook giveaway.
This is where someone will create a fake Facebook page and offer a giveaway. To
enter the giveaway, you may be asked to provide personal information or click
on a link that leads to a malicious website.
You can protect yourself from these scams by being cautious
of friend requests from people you don't know and by not clicking on links from
unknown sources. If you're unsure about a friend request, you can always check
to see if the person has a mutual friend with you. And if you're ever unsure
about a giveaway, you can contact the company directly to see if it's real.
Email Scams
Email scams are a very popular way for scammers to try and
get your personal information or money. They will send you an email that looks
like it is from a legitimate company or organization. The email will often say
that you need to update your personal information or there is a problem with
your account. They may also include a link to a website that looks real but is
actually a fake website set up by the scammer. If you click on the link and
enter your personal information, the scammer will then have access to your
accounts.
To protect yourself from email scams, never click on any
links in an email unless you are absolutely sure that they are legitimate. If
you are unsure, you can always go to the company's website directly to check if
there is any information about the email. You should also never enter your
personal information on a website unless you are sure that it is a legitimate
website. If you think you may have fallen for an email scam, contact the company
that the email claimed to be from and let them know what happened.
Tech Support Scams
1. Tech support scams are one of the most popular online
scams. In this type of scam, someone will pose as a tech support representative
and try to get you to give them access to your computer or personal
information. They may also try to sell you unnecessary or fake services.
2. There are a few things you can do to avoid tech support
scams. First, be suspicious of any unsolicited contact from someone claiming to
be from tech support. If you didn't initiate the contact, it's likely a scam.
Second, don't give anyone remote access to your computer unless you're sure
they're legitimate. And third, don't click on any links or attachments in
emails or texts from people you don't know.
3. If you think you may have been the victim of a tech
support scam, there are a few things you can do. First, contact your bank or
credit card company if you think you may have given away your financial
information. Second, change any passwords that you may have given out. And
third, report the scam to the authorities.
4. Tech support scams are becoming increasingly common, so
it's important to be aware of them and know how to avoid them. By following
Phone Calls Scams
There are a few different types of phone call scams that you
should be aware of. One popular type of scam is when someone calls pretending
to be from a government agency or utility company. They may say that there is a
problem with your account and ask for personal information such as your Social
Security number or credit card number. They may also threaten to disconnect
your service if you don’t pay a supposed outstanding balance. Another type of
phone scam is when someone calls offering a free vacation or prize. They will
ask for personal information such as your credit card number in order to
“claim” your prize. These are just a few of the most popular phone scams.
If you get a suspicious phone call, do not give out any
personal information. If the caller says they are from a government agency,
hang up and call the agency back using the phone number on their website or in
the phone book. Do not call any number the caller gives you. If someone offers
you a free vacation or prize, know that it is most likely a scam. Do not give
out your credit card number or any other personal information.
By being aware of these popular scams, you can protect
yourself from becoming a victim.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most popular online scams.
They involve scammers trying to trick you into giving them your personal
information, such as your credit card number or social security number.
One way to avoid phishing scams is to be suspicious of any
email or text message that asks for personal information. If you're not sure if
a message is legitimate, contact the company that it claims to be from
directly. Do not click on any links in the message.
Another way to avoid phishing scams is to look for signs
that a website may not be legitimate. Be suspicious of websites that have typos
or misspellings in their URL. Also, be cautious of websites that don't have a
privacy policy or terms of service listed. If you're unsure about a website, do
a quick Google search to see if there have been many reports of it being a scam.
By being aware of phishing scams and knowing how to avoid
them, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
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