Protect yourself from scams on the phone, online and at home. Do not click on links in emails that you didn’t expect, even if the email appears to be from an organization you trust.
To prevent falling in scams such as the Monzo scam text, never share your personal details or full PIN codes with anyone, and always check the register of regulated companies before you buy anything online. Also, resist the pressure to make a quick decision.
Phone scams
A phone scam can be anything from a fake lottery drawing to a phishing text message or call. It can steal money, credit cards or passwords for online accounts. Every year, unsuspecting people lose millions to phone scams. These scams may be hard to spot, but you can look out for a few warning signs. Scammers use urgency to convince victims to act. They may also claim to be affiliated with a government agency. Always be skeptical and think before you respond to a call or text. If you receive an unreliable call, hang up the phone and call the business or government agency using the number listed in your account statement, the phone directory or their website.
Scammers can also use a technology called spoofing, which allows them to hide the number or name of your caller ID. This increases the likelihood that you’ll answer the call. Scammers can also use text messages or calls to trick you into opening a link on your mobile device, which can allow criminals to spy on your device or access your information. It is vital to keep your antispyware and antivirus software up-to-date. You should also make sure that your Bluetooth is turned off when it’s not being used.
Phone scammers can also try to obtain your personal information by posing as employees of a business. They may ask for your account number and expiration date, mother’s maiden name, date of birth or other personal information. It is important that you never give your personal information to anyone who calls, unless they are someone you know. You should always check your accounts regularly and make sure you have two-factor authentication enabled when possible.
Some scammers can also hack into voicemail systems to gain access to your private information. They can change the default voicemail password, which allows them to access your voicemails and calls. They can then use your voicemail to call you and ask for personal information or money. They can also use the phone to make expensive international calls. To avoid these scams, you should use a call-blocking app and avoid calling unfamiliar numbers.
Social media scams
Social media platforms can be a hotspot for scammers who use fake profiles or messages to steal your personal information and financial assets. These scammers often target naive customers by pretending to be legitimate companies or individuals. They can then request personal information or account details, which they will use to access your bank accounts and make fraudulent purchases.
To protect yourself against social media scams you should never share your passwords or click on suspicious links. You should also keep an eye out for any unfamiliar activities on your social media account, such as unauthorized login attempts from strange locations or devices, which may indicate a phishing attack. You should also consider signing up for identity theft protection services, which can monitor your activity and alert you of any unusual activities on your account.
A “fake” giveaway is another social media scam. These scammers create messages or posts with prizes that are too good to be real and encourage you, the victim, to click on them. In many cases, these fake giveaways lead to a malicious link that can infect your device with malware. If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a scam on social media, contact your credit card company or bank immediately and report the account.
Other signs of a social media scam include grammatical errors, poor spelling, and unnatural language. These are clues that the person is not a native English speaker and is likely trying to hide their true identity. You should be wary of requests for 2FA codes as they are used to access online accounts. Double-check with your bank any suspicious deposits to ensure they haven’t been taken from your account.
Email scams
Email scams are a real threat to your business, whether it’s sending malware to employees or tricking them into giving out confidential information. Attackers may use this information to steal valuable items such as intellectual property, customer details, credentials, or money. Businesses can fight back by educating their employees about the different types of emails which can be considered scams.
The most common type of scam email is phishing. These scam emails are typically sent as a link, or as an attachment. They claim to come from a trusted source like your bank or Amazon. These links will take you to a malicious website that can install malware or harvest your personal and financial information. These emails are difficult to identify because they are branded and have the company logo or address. They appear to be legitimate at first sight.
In other cases, attackers will send an email with a false sense of urgency, claiming that your account information is incorrect or requiring you to click on a link to provide sensitive data. They may also try to lure you into sending money by telling you that you’ll receive a government refund or offering free products, coupons or money in exchange for your personal data. Always think twice before you act. A reputable company will never contact via email and demand that you immediately submit information or agree to their terms. If you’re unsure about the email, contact the sender directly by calling a verified number.
While phishing emails are sent all year, they are more common around certain holidays or events. For example, tax season, Black Friday and President’s Day sales. Attackers are constantly changing their tactics, so it is important to stay vigilant.
You can also protect yourself by setting up two-factor authentication for your accounts. This will require you to enter a code or security question when you login, which is much more difficult for scammers to hack. Update your computer’s software to keep it protected from the latest threats.
Online scams
Online scams allow criminals to steal money and personal data from unaware victims. These scams typically involve unsolicited links and attachments that are meant to download malware onto your device. This malicious software allows scammers to access your personal data, including login credentials for financial accounts and other information. It can be used to make unauthorized debit or credit card charges, which can lead to identity theft. If you are a victim of an online scam, contact your bank or credit lenders immediately to cancel and lock any cards that have been charged.
Fraudsters often use popular new technology, products or services, major events, or your own personal information to create believable stories that convince you to give them your money and personal details. They might use your contact information to target you directly or sell your data on the black market. Online scams come in many forms. The most common ones are phishing emails or fraudulent websites that ask for personal information.
It can be difficult to identify an online scam, as fraudsters often try to mimic legitimate website URLs and email addresses. Look for things like poor grammar and spelling, and offers that are too good to be true. Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited email, and never give sensitive information via phone or text message.
You should also use caution when using public WiFi as it can increase your risk of data breaches or identity theft. Whenever possible, use a private Wi-Fi network or a VPN to ensure your online security.
Online scammers are always developing new ways to trick their victims, and it’s important to stay alert. Be extra cautious when you receive requests for personal data, as legitimate organisations will not ask for this information via the internet.
Last but not least, it is important to use strong passwords. Also, be cautious of apps that ask for too many permissions. Check reviews before downloading apps and only download from trusted sources. Also, be aware of any suspicious activity on your devices, such as unusually high battery usage or strangely slow performance.