Beware of these common online scams – advance-fee fraud, Rental scams, and Phishing are just a few of the most common scams you may encounter. Keep these common scams and frauds from ruining your online experience, and you’ll be sure to stay safe and secure. If you’re ever caught in a scam, it’s time to get your facts straight.
Phishing
You’ve probably received emails from scammers asking you to update your information. Don’t fall for this trick. Rather than letting you know the information has been stolen, these scammers will ask you to update your personal information. The phishing emails may look like legitimate sites, but they’re not. They ask for your credit card information, so don’t give it out. Besides, the website may even look like one you’d trust.
Advance-fee fraud
Internet users should be cautious of spam and fraudulent emails. Most scams are based on email, and most are cheap to execute. A classic example is an email claiming to be from Netflix requesting payment in advance. This scam is easy to spot because the email appears to be from Netflix itself, but it’s actually the fraudsters that are asking for payment. Beware of these scams and never give out personal information over the internet.
Advance-fee scams
Scammers often use a similar play to phishing emails to trick their victims into providing personal information. They may contact you to activate a new credit card or tell you that your account has expired. They may even ask you to pay an advanced fee. In either case, they’ll try to get your personal information so they can continue the scam. In some cases, they might pass your personal information on to other scammers. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of these online scams is to stay alert and not provide your financial information to anyone, even if you feel threatened or concerned.
Rental scams
When renting your property online, be aware of these common online frauds and spam rental schemes. You should always verify the income of a prospective renter, and return overpaid checks. In addition, you should never rent to a would-be buyer or tenant who offers a cashier’s check from outside of the country. Finally, don’t fall for unexplained urgency to rent your property. Scammers may offer to help you pay your mortgage, but in reality, they’re just looking for a way to take your money.
Advanced-fee fraud
Beware of these common online frauds and scams to avoid becoming a victim of one. These scams often involve a small fee and use the common language of email to lure you in. They may be convincing, but you need to be wary of their methods to avoid being a victim. A common example of an online scam is the Nigerian inheritance scam, which employs phishing tactics and a compelling emotional backstory to lure you into paying up. The scam typically starts out asking for a small fee for a legal process, but ultimately requires a large sum of money to get the transaction going. These scams usually use legitimate-looking confirmation documents as well.