There are various email and online scams that have plagued our inboxes for many years. Some emails try to get you to open a zip file, click a link to execute a virus, or open a back door to your computer. Many others try to phish your sensitive information and many others are scams that target your bank account. Many of these emails scams almost seem legit, until you get far deep into it that sometimes it’s difficult to turn around or get your money back. Here are some scams you should be aware of. Don’t get caught in these traps!
Many are on alert about phishing scams, virus, and credit card fraud, but not many are educated about bank account scams that target a victim’s cash reserves. Often people are not aware of how the other party benefits from these scams. Here is some information on a few scams that you should be on alert and aware of:
Phishing Scams
Phishing Scams are typically done by email spoofing or messaging, often directing users to enter account details at a fake website that looks and feels almost identical to the real one.
How to avoid scammed: Always look at the domain to make sure it matches the real website. Sometimes domains might be skewed to look like the real one, so make sure it is is the domain that is supposed to be there. If you are unsure, call the company’s support directly. Do not click links, download files, or open attachments. Never email personal or financial information and beware of links that ask for it. Beware of popups and guard against them and spam. Protect your computer with antivirus, firewall, spam filter, and anti-spyware software. Check your online accounts and statements regularly and change your passwords as a precaution.
Award Scams
Have you ever got an email or phone call that you just won a lottery, sweepstakes, or foreign lottery without ever participating? These can also often come in the form of a beneficiary fund award. Well, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. The victim would participates might be sent a large check deposit into their personal checking account. Crooks may request information about your bank account or debit card giving them full access to your checking account. They will them be asked to wire a portion of the funds to pay for government taxes and administrative fees.
How to avoid scammed: Take note that if you didn’t enter, you didn’t win. It is illegal to participate in foreign lotteries via mail/phone in the United States. Also, if you win a lottery, you are not responsible for paying the taxes or fees directly to the government.
Charity Fraud
The “Charity Fraud Scam” may come in the form of an email or phone call. The scam involves requests for sympathetic donations. Crooks will request information about your bank account or debit card giving them full access to your checking account.
How to avoid scammed: The safest way to give to a charity is by choosing a familiar organization. Always be cautious about giving your information to individuals who reach out to you by phone or email.
Check Cashing for a Stranger
The “Check Cashing for a Stranger Scam” can work online or in person. However you obtain the check to be cashed, ultimately, the other party will ask you to cash the check because they do not have a bank account. In exchange, they will give you cash for your time and trouble. You may walk away feeling accomplished, but here’s the catch. The check in the bank has not yet cleared, and you just pulled money from your funds and handed it over to the criminal.
How to avoid scammed: Never cash a check for anyone. People can get their checks cashed at a check cashing business for a fee and therefore does not make sense that they are asking you to do it for them.
Work at Home Job Scams
There are many forms of “Work at Home Job Scams”. One of these scams involves offering a job that requires people to transfer funds through their checking accounts. The victim is often offered a commission in exchange for facilitating money through their personal account.
How to avoid scammed: If you are offered a work from home job for minimal work and high pay, it sounds too good to be true, and probably is. Any job opportunities that involve sending money in advance or a portion via wire transfer is probably a scam. If you receive a check in return, make sure that the check clears prior to committing to anything and that there are no discrepancies, typos, or red flags that might cause the check to be fraudulent.
Check Overpayment Fraud
The “Check Overpayment Fraud Scam” often targets online auction and classified ad sellers. The fraudulent buyer often pays a seller with a non-cash payment (check, money order, U.S. postal money order or other similar items) for more than the amount of the item. Scammers will often be pushy as they need to act quickly to prevent the seller from verifying the check. The seller may be asked to deposit the check immediately or wire a difference to the buyer. The fraudulent check will eventually bounce and be returned which will cost the seller a return fee, a wire transfer fee (if applicable), and accountability for the check amount which they are unable to reverse.
How to avoid scammed: Avoid accepting check, money order, U.S. postal money order or other similar items as payment when selling online. You can avoid being a victim as well by calling the bank to verify legitimacy, where payment was issued.
Other names for these scams
Other names for these scams
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Related:
Be careful of today’s ATMs and Card Readers
How to Protect Yourself Against Phishing Scams
How to Report Spam Email
How to Avoid Email Scams
Originally posted 2015-08-10 00:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
The post How to Avoid Email Scams appeared first on Information Technology Blog.
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