Scams and frauds are not a new thing, they have been there around us for centuries. With the rising trend of the Internet, these scams have become more widespread.
Nigerian Prince Want to give you his wealth, Portfolio experts want you to invest in some hot stocks, You can earn money while working at home or Some American woman think you are so cute and she is interested in you! Have you got such emails in your email inbox? I expect you definitely have.
You could be the next scam victim. If you are aware of such scams/frauds, you are a lot less likely to fall for them. Here are the most common internet scams, and most important tips, how to protect yourself.
The 419 Scam: The 419 Scam or Advance Fee Scam or Nigerian Scam is a most common form of scam, more prevalent on the internet. The scammer generally impersonates to be a member of a rich Nigerian Royal family or from another African family. After the death of a loved family member etc. he/she is willing to transfer his entire money or wealth to you, reaching out to you personally. The trick!! You must have to pay/submit a small amount of fees to release a large sum of money or wealth. The process demands advance fees payment.
Tips: Do not reply or respond to such an email request, do not disclose your bank details etc.
Phishing: These are email scams claiming to be from a bank or a financial institution or a big reputed company or big brand. The email message generally contains a link, on click will redirect you to a fake website designed to trick you to give your personal, banking and financial information. There are two types of phishing; one is Bank phishing scam, claiming to be from a bank and another form is Non-banking phishing scam, claiming to be from university, big company or a reputed brand etc.
Tips: Don’t just open emails from unknown senders, verify the source first. Do not click the link in the message or attachment. Do not give your confidential or banking details in return, no bank or institution will ask you your password or important banking details.
Dating / Romance Scams: If you get an email like “My name is Anna or (Any good name), I am from USA or Russia etc, seeing your profile on Facebook, I decided to write you that I started to like you, you are so cute or so dashing just as I wanted. What do you think of me? These scammers try to take advantage of peoples on dating websites or via email by convincing them as they are looking for a good partner or prospective partner or companion etc. They play such an emotional game so that you provide them some money, bank details, gifts or personal details.
Tips: Never pay or transfer any money to someone you have not met. Do not share your personal and confidential details, your home address or contact number. Never trust the person who can never meet you face-to-face & always say they are out of the country.
Text Message Scams: Be wary of the messages over phone etc, claiming you have won a huge sum of money etc. Also you can get these messages claiming from Bank, PayPal or Apple or any reputed brand. These may be another type of phishing.
Tips: Do not click on the link, claiming to be from Bank or PayPal etc. Do not call on the given numbers. Contact your bank & let them know.
Tech Support Scams: These are the biggest consumer scams as of now. These mainly targets seniors. You may get an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support or Any other Tech Support provider, asking for permission to access your pc and say your computer might be affected with virus or other malware.
Tips: Just hang up these call, do not trust them. Neither Microsoft nor any tech support company will call you in this way.
Income Tax Scams: You may get a call/email from a person claiming to be from IRS or any other Tax agency, saying you have some unpaid taxes due and give threat that unless you pay all due amount immediately via wire transfer, they will take legal action etc. Sometimes may say that you have got a refund, asking for your confidential and banking details so that they can transfer refund to your bank account.
Tips: Do not make return call to such a person claiming from IRS or so. Don’t Wire or transfer or make any payment in panic. Call on IRS or Tax agency helpline numbers and let them know the issue.
Unexpected winnings: Be wary if someone wants to lure you by a surprise win, giving money or a prize or a lottery that you never purchased.
Tips: Do not provide your personal information to these scammers.
Investment Scams: Scammers are ready to lure you, will tell you the fast way to make money or double your money in just a very short span of time or investing in selective stocks as you will get very rich in just a short span of time.
Tips: Do not trust them, if they can do so why are they convincing you.
Fake Software Updates: For example getting some emails for updating a particular software etc for new features or extra advantages.
Tips: Always visit the product website for software updates. Do not click update or download link in the email.
Charity Scams: Fraudsters impersonates real and genuine charities, asking for donation or claiming to generate some fund for some natural disasters happened.
Tips: Don’t pay any money immediately. Try to make a little inquiry to find out the fact.