While people are adapting to putting almost everything pertaining to their life on the internet and having most areas of our lives are being taken over by tech, some people are skeptical about this new development. Can you blame them? Definitely not. Why? Because some of them have been scarred or know someone who has been scarred from internet scam.
What is this Internet scam about? Internet scam is also known as online fraud, which refers to any fraudulent activity that takes place online or through the internet. It involves using the internet to deceive individuals or organizations in order to gain personal or financial information or to gain financial benefit.
Types of internet scam
Advance fee fraud: This is also known as the 419 scam, where the perpetrator promises you a large sum of money in exchange for an upfront fee or payment. This type of scam typically involves a convincing story or offer that requires you to transfer money or provide your personal information.
Identity theft: This is a type of scam where the perpetrator steals your personal information, such as your name, address, social security number, and credit card details, and uses it to make unauthorized purchases or open accounts in your name.
Investment scams: This is a type of scam where the perpetrator convinces you to invest in a fake business or investment opportunity that promises high returns. They may use tactics such as celebrity endorsements, fake testimonials, or fake investment portfolios to lure you in.
Phishing scams: This is a type of scam where the perpetrator sends an email, text message, or instant message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank, government agency, or popular online retailer. The message often includes a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal your personal information, such as your username, password, and credit card details.
Online shopping scams: This is a type of scam where the perpetrator sets up a fake online store or auction site to lure in unsuspecting buyers. They often offer popular products at low prices to entice you to make a purchase, but then fail to deliver the product or provide fake tracking information.
Tech support scams: This is a type of scam where the perpetrator pretends to be a tech support representative from a reputable company and contacts you claiming that your computer has been infected with a virus or malware. They will offer to help you fix the problem but will instead install malware on your computer or charge you a fee for fake services.
How to avoid getting scammed
- Make use of strong passwords. It is advisable to use a combination of letters ( uppercase and lowercase if possible), numbers and symbols.
- Beware of phishing links. It is easy to get carried away by the awesome job the copywriter and click on the link sent.
- Do not disclose your personal information to people. Personal information like ATM pin, BVN, password e.t.c.
- Make sure the site is secure before using it. How do you know the site is secure? Watch out for “https” in the link. Some of these fraudulent sites might be tricky enough to not add the “s” in the “https”, this is why you must watch closely.
- Read site’s privacy policy. The biggest hurdle using the internet. Due to how lengthy it is, most people skip it without reading it. To be on the safer end, read and understand before proceeding.
- Be cautious of public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks are prone to hacking. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, such as online banking or shopping.
- Do not be greedy. All over the internet, there are many self-acclaimed business teaching how to make money without doing anything, how to make triple your money or how to win a certain amount when you follow some steps. You have to be cautious enough to only follow verifiable ones, this is where contentment comes into play. Once it is looking too good to be true, trash it.
- Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest internet scams and tactics used by scammers. By staying informed, you can recognize potential scams and avoid becoming a victim.
