As the Internet grows, so does the potential for scams. Unfortunately, scam artists are everywhere. They have a lot of clever methods to try and get your contact information, steal your money, or access your online accounts. But that doesn’t mean that you’re bound to become a victim. Educating yourself on the kinds of scams that exist, and their warning signs, will help you stay safe and avoid losing control over your accounts, money, or personal information.
Common Kinds of Scams
If you know the ways a scammer might try to get to you, you’ll know how to protect yourself. Though it’s not an exhaustive list, the following are the most common kinds of scams.
Phone Scams
Typically phone scams, or vishing scams, involve the scam artist calling your number pretending to be a legitimate business or organization. They might say that they are from your bank, calling for your information to check on a transaction, or they might tell you they’re from the Social Security Administration and you need to confirm your social security number. If you’ve ever gotten a call about how your car’s warranty is expiring—that, too, is a phone scam.
Some smartphones, such as iPhones, have a caller ID scam filter that alerts the user when it’s likely the call they’re receiving is a scam. If your phone doesn’t do this, don’t worry—just be extra vigilant in the calls you take. If you answer the phone and it’s not somebody you know or a wrong number, remember that it might be a scam.
Furthermore, if you take a call that you think might be as scam, try this as a test: say hello, and then don’t say more. If it’s a scam, the caller—which is actually a prerecorded message—will just keep talking as if you were engaging with them. Now you can hang up and block the number.
Email Scams
Email scams, or phishing emails, are sent with the hope of getting users to reveal their account information. The scam targets those unfamiliar with phishing emails, so educating yourself can help you from becoming the next victim. The emails look legitimate, which is what fools recipients into entering their usernames or passwords, but you can analyze the email header, the sender’s email address, and the links within the email’s body to see if the email is legitimate or a scam. https://www.whatismyip.com/how-to-avoid-email-phishing-scams/
Social Media Scams
Social media, though entertaining and great at connecting friends, also exposes users to threats like catfishing and scams through their direct messages. In general, a social media scam is any situation where someone attempts to take advantage of you. They may try to get your personal information, like your email address or phone number to log into your account, or they may try to get you involved in a pyramid scheme.
Regardless of the method, watch out for strange clickable links sent to you via direct messages or posted in someone’s bio. Sites like Facebook, which have attached messaging services, are especially vulnerable; make sure you’re aware of these common Facebook scams if you frequent the social media site.
Digital Marketplace Scams
Online marketplaces are increasing in popularity. Resale-based sites like eBay and OfferUp allow users the chance to sell their own items or buy from others, while Amazon offers shoppers nearly everything that they could ever need in one place online. But buyer beware: not all transactions on these sites are legitimate.
Sometimes a seller will post a listing multiple times. They hope to get a buyer’s money via wire transfer or gift card without delivering on the product. Phishing scams are also a problem with these sites. Users should be careful with the way they pay and always pay directly through the site; if a seller ever directs you to CashApp or PayPal to pay instead of through the standard system, be wary.
Charity Scams
Charity scams are deceptive operations that seek donations or money by claiming to support a good cause. Instead, all donations go straight to the creators of the false charity. They become more common during or shortly after a natural disaster because people are more sympathetic—and more willing to donate money—during such times. To avoid losing control over your personal or financial information, always research a charity before you donate and make sure they are legitimate.
Is This a Scam? Red Flags to Watch Out For
Regardless of the kind, watch out for these red flags that might indicate a scam:
- The offer seems too good to be true. If something seems too good to be true, in reality, it probably is.
- You receive a message with a strange sender address or header. These can be indicators that something is off with the message. Proceed with caution.
- Someone says that you need to “act fast.” Whether it be because your account was allegedly hacked or because they’re sending you a deal that’s about to go away, anyone pushing you to act with haste should be a reason to think twice.
- You go to pay for something and are told you can only pay via gift card or wire transfer. These forms of payment, while not unacceptable in every situation, are simple for scammers because they get their money fast and you can’t get it back. If you are purchasing something and have to pay with gift cards, that’s a red flag.
Final Tips
Keep in mind that scammers also prey on people in vulnerable situations; for example, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, buying masks safely was a problem. Fraud artists set up websites that appeared to have hosts of masks in stock, and when people went to purchase them because they needed the product, they put in their credit card number and either paid for an item they never got or had their information stolen.
In general, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Be alert, secure your bank account information and logins, and think before you act. Scammers are everywhere, but if you know what to look for, you can protect yourself and your assets.
