The Internet can be a dangerous place if you are not careful and cautious online. Many people fall victim to cyber crime and fraud because of greed, ignorance, and carelessness. To make you aware, this article reveals five common online scams that you should watch out for.
1. Nigerian 419 Scam
You may receive an email that asks you to help a "rich" Nigerian family transfer a huge amount out of the nation. In return, you will be promised a generous percentage of the transaction. The email will ask you to pay "processing" fees first. Delete this type of email to be on the safe side.
2. Lottery Scam
This scam also plays on people's greed. You will be informed that you have won a lottery even though you never entered one in the first place. The email will request your financial details that are sure to be used for identity theft or fraud. Rein in your greed, delete the email immediately, and do not contact the sender.
3. Phishing Emails
"Phishing" is considered the most common online scam today. You may receive an email, allegedly from your bank, that links to a convincing but phony web page. You will be asked to enter confidential information about your account including your username and password. The scam email will entice you to part with the sensitive details. Ignore these phishing emails, and remember that your bank will never ask you for confidential information like password.
4. Disaster Relief Scam
Whenever there is a natural disaster, there is a flurry of relief activity afterwards to help the victims. Fraudsters make use of the occasion to appeal to people's emotions and ask for donations. They create fake websites that solicit online donations allegedly for the good cause. Another trick is to play the role of disaster victim and request monetary help. So, do your homework and make sure the charity is a genuine one before you donate your hard-earned money.
5. Work-at-Home Job Scam
Beware of any ad for a work-at-home job that promises to make you rich. Avoid the following work-at-home jobs as they are likely to be fraudulent: assembly jobs, data entry, multi-level marketing, online businesses, posting ads, processing claims, and stuffing envelopes. Ignore any job ad that asks you to make a payment.
Conclusion
Beware of the common online scams revealed in this article and delete suspicious emails immediately. Read articles on secure online browsing and banking, and implement the tips mentioned in them to keep yourself safe in cyber space.
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