Numerous scams hide in the shadows of the web. There may be many forms in which they show themselves but each one of them is a deception to get whatever it needs from its victims.
The scams are simply evolving and adapting even with the consistent evolution of the internet and technology. If you can’t differentiate between the deception and the real thing it might be too late for you to realize that it already happened.
The best way to fight such scams is with knowledge. If you utilize the proper tools then scams do not stand a chance.
Here are the top 6 most common website scams:
1. Online dating (romance) scams
As there is an app for every other need of ours in today’s life, the Internet has also provided us with the apps to look for love as well.
Online dating is becoming a rising trend nowadays and is quite a fascinating way to find your future life partners. There have been many cases of marriage as well due to these apps.
However, not every scenario like these might have a happy ending. In this day and age, you need to be extra careful because you may never know whom you can meet.
A romance scam usually occurs on social dating networks such as Facebook or even by sending an email to the potential person. This also leads to affecting thousands of victims around the world.
Male scammers are generally located in West Africa, while the female scammers can be seen in the eastern parts of Europe.
But using online dating services, cybercriminals have manipulated this scamming method for years and have also improved their methods by examining the victim’s reactions.
Based on the research by the British Journal of Criminology last month, the methods applied by these scammers in online scams resemble those used in domestic violence cases.
You need to learn how to protect yourself better from these attacks and scams if you don’t want to become a victim of this.
2. Phishing
Let’s say that a person that you know is connecting with you through email looking for confidential, sensitive information. He/she imitates someone you are aware of as these people want you to feel assured that it is someone that you can trust. Someone you trust so much that you won’t mind sharing that information with them.
Their goal is to make you open the link they sent through email that will take you to a portal where you can provide this alleged person with the information that they require. Your goal should be to not hit any such links and even if you find one lurking in your mailbox, make sure to report this phishing attempt. This option will immediately remove this email and also report it to your admin department.
3. Crowdfunding Scams
You find a charity that is worthy of donating to. The money is being organized via a crowdfunding platform such as Go Fund Me and is something that becomes close to your heart. It might almost make you feel guilty for not donating.
Their strategy is for you to empathize with the situation and donate some money as it is for a noble cause and if you don’t then you would feel guilty of not being of any help to the ones in need. Hence, you donate the money as you feel that it is the righteous and magnanimous thing to do.
To call out this bluff always contact the authority of this charity to cross-check the credibility of the charity. Although, the best course of option would be to contact the crowdfunding platform and notify them of your worries. Your money will be refunded if they find that what you suspected was indeed true.
4. Fake Job Offer
This one includes the invitation for a job that you did not even apply for through an email. Generally, this kind of job asks you to work from the comfort of your home, remotely with a relaxing salary. The requirements of the job are quite vague which means that anyone who would receive such an email would instantly qualify for it.
Their goal is for you to accept the job since it randomly popped in your email and promises a considerable salary and the best part about it is that you do not need to go anywhere. For you to work they ask for your bank details so that your employer can keep a record of it for salary deposit.
When such a thing appears in your email, make sure to never reply to them or click on any of the links provided by them. These may seem quite tempting as it may highlight a very initial position in a firm that is from overseas but are completely the opposite. Try to report them as spam instantly.
5. Travel Scam
You received an exceptional vacation package through email, which is too good to ignore. The destination is quite exotic and this is a limited offer that needs to be accepted by you under a designated time. After that, the offer will no longer be valid. You just need to make a meager payment and you will be able to reach the destination of your dreams.
Keep in mind that scam artists here tempt you to choose this lucrative offer and trap you by making you say yes adamantly. Their goal is to trap you in this temptation and make the down payment as soon as possible.
To resist this, you need to restrict yourself from giving away any private information. Try to research this company and look for their origins and suggestions from other people. Even if the offer might not be entirely ridiculous, it is always better to practice caution.
6. Illegal Images Scam
The Scam: There are plagiarised images on your website, and they belong to the individual who has emailed you. You will be sued if you do not pay for them.
Their Strategy: Their strategy is to put fear and pressure on you so that midst of all the confusion you make a hazy mistake and do exactly as told which is to avoid being sued.
Their goal: is to go to the link that is offered as evidence and pay money for the stolen images.
This kind of incident has been brought up a lot to us and the specifics of the threat and the goal of the scam artists may vary. However, the procedure is consistent and that is the occurrence of stolen copyright images in your email.
What to Do
If anything of this kind appears on your email immediately report it as spam and do not click on the link.
Synopsis
As it occurs usually with websites, it is impossible to locate the whereabouts of every image. The scam artists take advantage of this by declaring that your site has images that you stole from some other. Generally, these images are either bought through stock image sites or directly from your company. However, if there are any such instances on your email, do not be afraid to reach out to your current web provider or a professional web development company to get a leak-proof security layer for your employees and business.
