Internet fraud isn’t as common as it used to be, but that doesn’t mean you can completely avoid it. In fact, recent studies have shown that Internet fraud has been on the rise and that people are losing hundreds of millions of dollars every year due to fraudulent actions like phishing scams and unauthorized credit card charges. Here’s how to protect yourself from the most common types of Internet fraud, so you can continue using the internet without worrying about getting ripped off in the process.
What Are Phishing Scams?
Phishing scams are designed to dupe victims into giving away confidential information like credit card details, social security numbers, and passwords. Criminals use phishing messages or pop-ups to appear like they are official emails or websites. The intent of these attacks is usually financial gain, but it could also be used as a platform for identity theft. Phishing scams can take several different forms and sometimes appear legitimate until you take a closer look.
How do Phishing Scams Work?
Phishing scams are a popular way of stealing personal information from unsuspecting victims. In a phishing scam, criminals send out emails that appear to be from a well-known company or website. The email then asks for your login credentials or other information, which is later used for identity theft and financial theft. How do phishing scams work? The short answer: people aren’t paying close enough attention to what they’re entering into web forms, and criminals are taking advantage of that lack of awareness with cleverly crafted emails. If you want detailed advice on how you can keep yourself safe from phishing attacks, read on! We’ll also tell you about common variations in phishing scams so that you don’t get taken in by them.
The Signs of an Email Phishing Scam
Phishing scams aren’t new but, unfortunately, they’re a growing problem. In 2016, the FBI warned of an increase in phishing scams that infect computers and steal personal information like credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. There are a number of ways to determine if an email you receive is part of a scam: If you’re wary about giving out any kind of sensitive information online (whether it be your credit card info or social security), never send money through Western Union or any other wire transfer service. You won’t get it back and once criminals have that money there will be no way for you to get it back.
Targeted Audience of Internet Scams
No one will be immune to Internet scams. No matter your age, gender, or financial status, there’s a good chance you’ll have some contact with them at some point. Internet scam artists don’t discriminate when it comes to their victims. While men are certainly targeted more than women, both genders are susceptible and other factors such as age and income level may come into play. How prevalent these scams become has a lot to do with society as a whole and any changes in consumer attitudes or behaviors. According to an October 2016 survey from ADT Security Services (ADT), more than 1 in 10 Americans have been victims of an online scam; that number rises dramatically among people 65 years old and older.
Do I Need Protection Against These Scams?
If you haven’t read about it yet, there’s a lot of scary talk going around about things like phishing and Trojan Horse attacks. It can be hard to decide whether these risks are serious enough that you need protection. Fortunately, we can offer some advice: If you think someone else might ever use your computer and try to steal personal information from it (and you wouldn’t want them to), then yes, you probably need protection against phishing scams and Trojan horse attacks.
Safeguarding Your Account Against Phishing Scams
The internet has made life incredibly convenient, but it also has its downside. This downside includes cybercriminals who are preying on internet users by sending phishing emails that pretend to be from your bank, credit card company, or government agencies. To protect yourself from falling victim to these scams, you should make sure you’re doing everything possible to safeguard your personal information and accounts against phishing scams.
Don’t Panic When You Get a Prank Call
Criminals are using websites, emails, and other online channels to rip people off every day. If you’re thinking about buying something online, there are several things you can do to stay safe: research what it will cost in a store or from another seller, pay with PayPal or a credit card that offers buyer protection, and review your bank and credit card statements carefully. It might not be as convenient as making an impulsive purchase from your couch, but using those precautions could save you from becoming one of today’s crime stats.
Conclusion
Internet fraud isn’t new and it won’t go away. The best we can do is educate ourselves, make sure we don’t become victims, and help our friends steer clear of malicious activity. There are a few ways you can stay safe on the Internet while conducting business or surfing social media: always keep your software up-to-date; be cautious when installing programs from unknown developers; regularly monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activity; report anything unusual immediately; never use public Wi-Fi for financial transactions (or at all if possible), and make security an important factor in choosing any online service.