It’s a digital jungle out there and online scams are the hidden traps waiting to steal your wallet. Worst of all, they come in all shapes and sizes — so how do you stay safe? Don’t worry—you don’t have to swear off the internet just yet. Here are 15 common online scams and tips to avoid them.
Featured Image Credit: Anna Shvets /Pexels.com.
Don’t Get Hooked
Phishing scams are some of the most common scams. You might get an email that looks like it’s from a service you trust, telling you there’s a problem with your account. They’ll ask you to click a link and log in with your private info. That’s a mistake! Real companies never ask for sensitive information like this. If you’re unsure, go directly to the company’s website.
Trust Your Gut
Whenever you find a deal online that seems too good to be true then it probably is. Scammers set up fake websites (especially around the holidays) that sell practically everything at crazy-low prices. These sites will disappear overnight, along with your money. You should make sure the website starts with “https” and look for real customer reviews—not just the ones on their site.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Keep Your Cash
Any emails saying you won a lottery or sweepstakes are likely fake because they’ll ask you to pay a fee to claim your prize. You should never have to pay to receive winnings. And if you haven’t entered a lottery, how can you win it? Just press “delete” on those messages and move on.
Hang Up on Fraud
One nasty scam involves a caller out of the blue claiming to be tech support & saying your computer has a virus. Hang up! These scammers will actually install malware on your computer or get you to pay for unnecessary software. As such, you should make sure you contact tech support through official channels instead of random calls.
Keep Your Computer Clean
A similar scam is one where you get a pop-up warning about viruses on your computer. Unfortunately, it’s a way of tricking you into downloading malware that infects your computer. You should stick to well-known antivirus software & keep your computer’s security software up to date. It’s your best defense!
Protect Your Heart and Wallet
While online dating can lead to some great connections, watch out for love interests who move too fast. Soon enough, they’ll start asking for money due to emergencies—or even supposedly to meet you. Never send money or share your financial details with someone you haven’t met in person.
Think Before You Invest
Scammers love promising big returns on investments with little to no risk. Sadly, these offers are often too risky & lead to big losses so you should always check the credentials first. Check them out on regulatory websites or better yet, ask for professional advice before you commit your hard-earned cash.
Do Your Homework
After disasters or during holiday seasons, you’ll see a huge increase in requests for charity although they’re not all legit. In fact, some of them are created to collect donations that never reach those in need. Always verify a charity through the Better Business Bureau before donating—-and only do it if you’re absolutely sure.
Verify First, Apply Second
We’d all like to have our dream job—and that’s what scammers rely on. Out of nowhere, they’ll offer you a position but ask you to pay for training or special software. That’ll never happen with legit jobs! You should check the reviews & do extensive research on the company first. Only then should you reach out to them.
Look Before You Lease
Anyone looking for a house should be cautious of rental listings that require you to pay deposits or the first month’s rent before you’ve even seen the place. Always visit the property in person to make sure it’s real. If you’re moving to a new city then try to get someone you trust to check it out for you.
The Real Taxman Doesn’t Demand Gift Cards
You should watch out for urgent phone calls or emails from the “IRS” during tax season. They’ll claim you owe money & demand payment through gift cards or wire transfers. But the truth is that these agencies will never contact you this way for payment. Instead, reach out to them directly through the official channels if you have any tax concerns.
Check the Terms
A subscription scam involves you signing up for a free trial online, only to find that you’ve been charged every month. They make it hard to see the terms when you sign up. Before you agree to any trial, read the fine print carefully and check your bank statements regularly. This way, you can catch any unexpected charges.
Money for Nothing
Be careful of anyone asking for money upfront in exchange for a loan because these are advance fee scams. As part of these scams, you pay—but you never get what they promised. No legitimate business will ask for fees upfront. If and when that happens, you should just run the other way.
Pause Before You Click
Scammers use social media to spread fake ads or shocking stories just to get you to click. After a few clicks, you’ll be on a dodgy website that’s trying to steal your personal information. Take a moment to think before you click on anything sensational. Is it really worth it? You should also update your privacy settings to keep your information safe.
Not the Gift You Want
Being asked to pay with gift cards is a huge red flag. So why do scammers love them? Well, it’s because they’re as good as cash & harder to trace. It doesn’t matter if it’s for taxes or bills—you should never be using gift cards for payment. Step back & ask yourself why they aren’t asking for money through safer methods.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
