The internet can be an amazing place to shop, learn new things, and connect with friends, but it is also a haven for scam artists.As soon as one scam is exposed another comes to take its place.Don't be too trusting of people you interact with online and be vigilant about evaluating any offers you see in order to spot an online scam.Being the next person to fall victim can be avoided if you take steps to keep your private information secure.
Step 1: Do the offer seem too good to be true?
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.Try to figure out what the catch is if you see something that looks like a great bargain.There are lots of opportunities online.They aren't usually thrown in your face and you're not usually pressured to take them.This applies to online "get rich quick" schemes.You can make a lot of money if you work from home for a few hours a day.If this were true, everyone would be doing it.The majority of people in online marketing and other programs don't make a lot of money like that.To figure out what you're really getting into, read the fine print.If something is offered for free but you have to provide a credit card number, it might be that the first month is free and you will be charged a subscription fee each month after that.It can be difficult to cancel these subscriptions.
Step 2: You can research the background of the company.
You'll be able to find information about a business if it's legit.Any business with an internet offer will have a digital footprint.Information about the company and website can be found through a general search on the internet.Pay attention to reviews.If an ad on social media has 100 comments from people saying the offer in the ad is a scam, report it and scroll on.Even if a "great deal" isn't a scam, the company may be offering inferior products or services they're trying to pass off as high quality.If their customers were satisfied, reviews will tell you about it.
Step 3: You can search for the company's real website.
Many offers claim to be affiliated with major brands.They may claim to be a subsidiary of the brand.If the offer you've seen is not on the company's real website, look for the actual brand or company.If you want to double-check brands, you can copy the text and paste it into a document.If the scam uses different letters or numbers to make it look like a famous brand name, then you should change the fonts.A scam artist might offer huge discounts on furniture.When you paste the text into a document, they used a lower case L instead of the upper case I.If the offer you're looking at has contact information, make sure it matches the information on the company's website.An address in another country, a PO box, or "customer service" numbers that don't match are potential red flags that the offer is a scam.
Step 4: Take time to think about online transactions.
The scam artists want you to make a decision quickly.They know that if you do a little research, you will conclude that the offer is a scam.They want to close the deal as quickly as possible.It might be a scam if you see something only for a short time.If you see a clock on the page that counts down the minutes you have to respond to the offer, this is likely.Remove cookies from your browser and reload the page.The clock has reset.They may say supplies are limited."Only 3 spaces left for this seminar or "down to the last 4 products" is what the ad might say.These tactics are designed to make you hurry to grab something before it's gone.
Step 5: Personal information should not be shared with people or businesses you don't know.
You may get a message from a business asking you to verify information.If the company or individual already has your information, you don't need to verify it.Do not give out your birthdate, password, or answers to security questions.You can check the business's website or call the customer service number if you're not sure.Find out what they want you to give them.Passwords and answers to security questions will not be asked of you by most legitimate businesses.If you are unsure, contact the business directly.You can find out if it's a legitimate offer or request by asking them about the information you saw.
Step 6: Ask your friends about posts or messages.
Many scam artists hijack social media accounts and send sales offers to their friends.If you get a weird message from a friend, contact them directly and ask them about it.You should not contact them on the social media account.The hacker may be able to access the account and write to you pretending to be a friend.If a friend posts social media content that includes a scam and their account has not been hacked, let them know that you believe the thing they're excited about is actually a fraud.They can be better informed if you give them the information you have.
Step 7: You should be careful with people you only know online.
fake businesses that try to scam people online are not the only ones.Individuals try to form connections with others and then scam you out of money, gifts, and attention.A person who claims to have strong feelings for you but isn't available to talk on the phone or video chat is a red flag.It is possible that they are trying to scam you.If you only know someone online, don't give them personal information that could be used to steal your identity.The person could use that information to cause harm to you or your loved ones.Speak up if someone asks you a question or tells you something you're not comfortable with.If you meet someone online and they claim to be madly in love with you after 3 days, you might say "You don't know me and we've never met in person."I don't feel the same way when you say that.
Step 8: It's a good idea to watch out for stressor events or sudden emergencies.
People you meet online will panic you into helping them if there is an emergency.A sudden death of a family member or pet, a medical emergency, or a car accident are examples of stressor events.If you're interacting in a sales or business context, the scam will use a sudden emergency to change the rules of the transaction.If they send you a money order for more than the sale price, they may ask for you to give them more cash.If you're interacting in a personal context, the scam will tell you how upset and panicked they are and explain that they need money very quickly.You have to send money in the name of a friend in order for it to be picked up.
Step 9: Don't give money or other assistance.
When you meet someone online, they may not have the same thing in mind that you do.Money, tickets, and other items are frequently requested by scammers on dating sites.They will often say that it's necessary for them to meet you in person.They won't meet up with you.You might meet someone on a dating site who lives nearby, but not in the same town as you.They message you at the last minute, saying their car is broken down and they need money to fix it, after you arrange a meeting.You have to give them money to fix their car.They are in the hospital or lose a family member when the time comes for the second date.They will need money again.The cycle will continue until you stop it.
Step 10: You can monitor your credit report.
After you've paid them for a good or service, it's common for them to start another transaction.If you discover the transactions soon after they occur, you can get your bank or credit card company to reverse them.Your credit report can alert you to any changes that could indicate identity theft, such as a new account that you didn't open.It will be easier for you to take care of these changes if you notice them sooner.
Step 11: Do you know if you're the victim of a data breach?
The account information obtained in a data breach can be used to carry out a scam.Change your password immediately if you have an account with a company whose server has been hacked.Enter your email address to find out if your account has been compromised.
Step 12: You should keep detailed records of your online transactions.
Whenever you buy something or sign up for something online, you should have a digital paper trail that includes emails, status updates, confirmation numbers, and the like.You should keep this documentation until you receive the product or service you paid for.It's important to have contact information for any company you do business with.There is a contact page on the website.The business might be a scam if there is no number listed and the only address is a PO box.
Step 13: You should keep your online accounts secure.
Each of your online accounts has a different password.Make sure the password is easy to remember and difficult to guess.The extra layer of security that 2FA provides is due to the fact that you have to enter a code on your phone in addition to your password.Password managers can help you keep up with a bunch of different passwords if you have a lot of online accounts.If you want to sign up with an independent system, most computers come with one.To learn how to turn on 2FA for your online accounts, go to thetelesign.com.Click on the service you used to access it.
Step 14: If you see a scam, report it.
If you see an offer or other activity on the internet that you think is a scam, you need to take action.It should be reported to the appropriate government agency in your country.If you don't know which agency to report the scam to, do an internet search for "report scam" with the name of your country.There should be a website for the government agency.You can file your report online.If you see a scam on a social media platform, you can report it to the platform as well.They might be able to remove the content more quickly.