There has never been a more vulnerable time to get scammed online. With the surge of new social platforms, online scammers are trying every avenue possible to scam innocent people out of their hard-earned money. With new and old scamming tactics to choose from, it is important to spot the signs of potential scams and protect yourself before it is too late. It is also essential for all companies that have taken their business online post covid-19 to understand the signs, as scammers also target large and small organisations.
Here are the most common scamming tactics that you should be looking out for:
Romance Scams
Romance scams are one of the most common scamming strategies in the last few years. With multiple dating sites to choose from, the avenue to target unknowing people is endless. The fraudsters often pose on the app with a fake identity, gaining the interest of people with the profile. They often follow the same pattern of building rapport with their targeted victim, telling them they can’t meet in person and once they have gained their trust they request money. The money will commonly be requested through wired money, and they will tell you how to pay, usually in a format that cannot be traced back to them.
Despite how convincing their profile may be, never consider sending money in any form to someone you have never met in person. They are likely to be scammers, and you should report them to either the police or the authorities of the app used.
Phishing Emails And Texts
If you have started to receive unusual emails or texts regarding packages that are due to arrive that you haven’t ordered, or unusual texts from your bank, you should keep cautious. Often they will encourage you to click an attached link that will enable a virus onto your device that can steal your personal information. Block the numbers and report them to the relevant authorities.
Phishing Phone Calls
Another strategy scammers like to do is fraudulent phone calls. One of the most common calls you may receive is a fake call from the government claiming that you have missed tax payments. They will encourage you to confirm your personal information and make a repayment over the phone. You should never answer calls from unsolicited numbers, and you should immediately report any numbers that ring you asking for personal information.
‘Lucrative’ Investment Scams
One of the most hybrid forms of scamming that have become frequent in recent years is the investment scams that have been circling the internet. With the surge of online currencies, scammers have been targeting investors who have large investment portfolios online. Scams such as crypto scams are often the easiest scams to get away with as the money is often not traceable and harder to recover.
If an investment seems too good to be true, it usually is. Often people are promised a huge return on investment from a ‘knowledgeable’ person in the market, to then find all their money is lost and cannot be retrieved. Never take advice from a stranger on any size investments you make, as it might be the last thing you do with that money.