Common Scams to Watch Out For

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing scams involve cybercriminals attempting to trick individuals into revealing their sensitive personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers. These scams often occur through email, text messages, or fake websites that look similar to legitimate ones.

Example: A person receives an email claiming to be from their bank, informing them that their account has been compromised and requesting them to click on a link to update their account information. However, the email is actually from a scammer, and the link leads to a fraudulent website aimed at stealing the person's login credentials.

2. Lottery or Prize Scams

In lottery or prize scams, individuals are contacted with claims that they have won a significant amount of money or a valuable prize. However, to claim the winnings, they are required to pay upfront fees, taxes, or provide personal information that can be used for identity theft.

Example: A person receives a phone call congratulating them on winning a lottery. The caller asks for personal information, such as their bank account details, claiming it is necessary to transfer the prize money. Once the information is provided, the scammer uses it for fraudulent activities.

3. Online Purchase Scams

Online purchase scams involve fraudulent sellers offering products or services online but never delivering them or providing subpar items. These scams often occur on auction sites, classified ad platforms, or social media marketplaces.

Example: A person finds a great deal on a popular online marketplace for a high-end smartphone. They make the payment, but the seller never ships the phone or provides a counterfeit one instead.

4. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams involve scammers pretending to be from reputable tech companies, claiming that the victim's computer is infected with viruses or experiencing technical issues. They offer to fix the problem remotely but may end up installing malware or demanding payment for unnecessary services.

Example: A person receives a phone call from someone pretending to be from a well-known software company. They inform the person that their computer is infected and offer to fix it remotely for a fee. However, the scammer may actually install malicious software or demand payment without providing any legitimate service.

5. Romance Scams

Romance scams target individuals seeking romantic partners online. Scammers create fake profiles and build an emotional connection with their victims, only to eventually ask for money or personal information.

Example: A person meets someone on a dating website, and over time, they develop a strong emotional bond. The scammer then fabricates a story about a financial crisis and asks the person to lend them money, often promising to pay it back later. Once the money is sent, the scammer disappears.