As technology has continued to advance, online shopping, social media, and digital communication are also rising. Hackers see this influx as an opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. These scams come in many forms, from fraudulent websites to fake job opportunities. These tactics typically illicit an emotional response, using a sense of urgency to trick people into providing sensitive information. By acknowledging the most common tactics and how to avoid online scams, individuals can better protect themselves and their sensitive data.
Common Types of Online Scams
Scammers use endless tactics to deceive individuals into providing personal information or money. To properly avoid online scams, it is crucial to be aware of the common tactics. These are some of the most common scams and how they operate to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Fake Online Stores
These fraudulent websites are disguised as legitimate e-commerce stores, offering products at highly discounted prices to attract buyers. Once an order is placed, the buyer either never receives their order or receives a cheap knockoff. These scams can also steal your credit card information, leading to further financial loss.
Sports Gambling Scams
These scam sites will entice users by sending them phishing emails that may promise quick and high payouts. With many of these messages, scammers try impersonating legitimate sites to gain personal information or money.
Fraudulent Charity Requests
Especially around the holiday season, scammers exploit people’s generosity by posing as charitable organizations. They create fake websites, emails, or social media campaigns, often claiming to support causes like disaster relief, child welfare, or veterans’ services, when the donations never go to the intended cause. These scams typically elicit an emotional response, prompting quick donations.
Gift Card Scams
Gift card scams have become popular as they offer untraceable ways to steal money. This tactic involves receiving a call, email, or text claiming asking you to purchase gift cards and send the scammer the gift card number and PIN. Once sent, this money is impossible to recover. These scams can take several forms, including:
- Impersonation scams: When the scammer poses as trusted figures such as family members, friends, or company representatives. They might claim to need money for an emergency or to resolve an issue, asking victims to buy gift cards and send them the card numbers and PINs.
- Tech Support scams: The attackers pretend to be tech support agents from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple. They claim that your computer is infected with malware, or you owe money for a supposed service. To resolve the issue, they demand payment via gift cards.
- Lottery/Prize scams: Victims receive a notification that they’ve won a lottery, prize, or contest but must first pay taxes or fees using gift cards to claim their winnings.
- Romance Scams: Scammers build fake online relationships with victims, often through dating apps or social media. Once trust is established, they fabricate stories of financial trouble or emergencies and request gift cards.
- Business email compromise: Scammers impersonate executives or employees of a company, sending emails requesting gift card purchases for various reasons. These emails may seem legitimate, as they often use real company email addresses and jargon.
LinkedIn Scams
Malicious actors may use LinkedIn to pose as potential employers or recruiters offering attractive job opportunities. They may ask victims to pay for ‘training’ or provide personal information like social security or banking details, which can lead to identity theft or financial fraud. Common LinkedIn scams include:
- Fake job offers: Scammers pose as recruiters or employers offering exciting job opportunities. These fake offers often require the victim to provide personal information or pay a fee for job placement or training materials.
- Phishing attacks: Messages can be sent that appear to be from legitimate companies or LinkedIn itself, urging users to click on a link and enter login credentials or personal information. These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal your information.
- Impersonation: Malicious actors may create fake profiles to mimic real professionals or companies. They may connect with you to gain access to your network or to request sensitive information.
- Investment scams: Sometimes, LinkedIn can be used to promote fraudulent investment opportunities. These scams promise high returns with little risk and often require an upfront payment.
- Romance scams: Similar to the scams on dating sites, some scammers use LinkedIn to initiate romantic relations, eventually asking for money or personal information.
- Credential Harvesting: Scammers send messages or post job ads that require users to fill out forms with personal and professional information, which is then used for identity theft.
How to Avoid Online Scams
These scams are becoming increasingly complex and strategic. To avoid online scams, there are several steps individuals can take to protect themselves online. Some best practices include:
- Verify the Legitimacy of Online Sites: Before purchasing from an unfamiliar site, conduct thorough research. Ensure the website has security features like ‘https’ in the URL and a padlock icon. If the prices seem too good to be true, they probably are. It is helpful to stick with well-known, reputable retailers when possible.
- Pro Tip: For sports betting, avoid sites that promise guaranteed winnings or seem overly aggressive with their promotions. If you are unsure about a betting platform’s legitimacy, check the online reviews and verify the site’s license with the local gaming authority.
- Research Charitable Organizations: Only donate to charities you have verified through official channels. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or social media posts asking for donations, especially if pressured to act quickly.
- Avoid Sending Payments via Gift Card: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never ask you to make payments via gift cards. If you receive a call or message demanding payment via gift cards, it is likely a scam. If someone is unclear on if this tactic is a scam, they should consult with an authoritative figure at the company.
- Do Not Share Personal Information on LinkedIn: When job hunting, be cautious of unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true. Legitimate recruiters and hiring companies will never ask for sensitive information, such as your social security number, or upfront payments. When engaging with a recruiter, confirm the legitimacy. This may include a verifiable company email or LinkedIn profile history. If faced with a suspicious offer, contact the company directly to confirm its validity.
Remain Vigilant
From fake online stores to company gift card scams, these tactics use emotional manipulation and urgency to trick users into providing sensitive information or money. By remaining informed about common online scams and how to avoid them, people can adopt protective strategies to proactively protect personal data and finances.
