Scammers Use New Technology to Dupe Victims
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If you’re on the internet for any length of time, you’ll see countless scams and schemes – whether you recognize them or not. They’re everywhere: in your email inbox, hidden behind pop-up ads, lurking in marketplace listings. Every day, criminals find new ways to use technology to scam people and steal from them.
Today, we’re breaking down a handful of the most insidious online crimes that could target you any day you’re on the internet. If you’re looking to keep your finances safe and secure online, follow these tips to keep out of scammers’ line of sight.
Here’s a good rule of thumb that will stop you from falling into the vast majority of scams: never send anyone money over the internet. Unless you’re shopping online at a storefront you’re positive is legitimate or sending a wire transfer to someone you know who has told you in person that they need money, you should keep your cash in your own account.
Someone claiming to be your relative or friend online and begging for money is probably a scammer. A website with deals that are too good to be true is a fake website that will take your money (and your credit card information) and never send you the merchandise you thought you purchased. Keep a tight grip on your wallet when you’re online.
Many online scams are easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. The trick that a lot of schemers use to get around this vigilance is to sucker you into a fake webpage by sending you a link in an email or text message. The message will proclaim unbelievably good deals and ask you to follow the link to see the goods.
When you land on the webpage, you’ll be looking at something similar to, say, Amazon or eBay’s storefront. However, it’s really a clever fake designed to steal your credit card information. Just avoid clicking those links to begin with.
People you meet online are never who they say they are. Unless you’ve seen someone in person or on a live video call, they could be a different person than you assume they are. Never trust people you meet on dating sites or social media networks before getting confirmation that they are who they say they are.
And, above all, never send anyone you don’t know any money. Once you’ve sent the funds, they’re gone – there’s nothing you can do to get them back.