Have you ever received a suspicious email or text message? Did you get an unbelievable deal from an unknown website? You’re not alone.
Just like in real life, the best way to avoid getting robbed is to stay alert. Be skeptical of anything that seems off. Only trust reputable sources. Protect your personal information. Take preventative measures.
This guide breaks down six practical tips to lock down your digital security and avoid being scammed online.
Online scams utilize dirty tricks and deception to steal your money or identity through the internet. Scammers are constantly finding new creative ways to lower your guard.
Some of the most common traps they set using technology include:
These are just a few examples. The reality is that online scammers are always inventing new schemes to take advantage of unsuspecting people. It’s a constant threat anytime you use the internet.
Key Takeaway: Online scams leverage deception and tricks to steal your money or personal information through the internet. They come in endless forms—phishing, fake support calls, fraudulent shopping sites—but the goal is always the same.
Many online scams start with unsolicited emails, texts, phone calls, or social media messages.
Because blasting out messages is cheap and easy, scammers send messages en masse to blast a wide net, knowing someone will take the bait if they make it look legit enough.
Watch out for common red flags in any unexpected communication:
Key Takeaway: Independently verify and research any unsolicited communication before responding or providing personal information. Answering that email could be like walking down a dark alley alone at night.
When shopping online or entering any sensitive personal data, only use secure, reputable platforms. Look for “https” in the URL and the lock icon in the browser bar indicating encryption security.
If buying through a marketplace like eBay or Amazon, dig into seller ratings and reviews before purchasing. Sites like Craigslist offer less protection for buyers, so have your guard up.
Key Takeaway: Avoid shady platforms you haven’t researched thoroughly when entering any sensitive personal data. Getting scammed starts with trusting an unknown, unsecured site. Skip the dark alley shortcuts.
Your personal information is a scammer’s dream—bank account and credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers, and home addresses—so guard it closely.
Think twice before freely providing sensitive information online, especially when companies request it without good reason. No deal or offer is worth the identity theft risk of handing out your details to a faceless stranger.
Key Takeaway: Closely protect sensitive personal information and only provide it with good reason to reputable companies you trust. Question any rando asking for your private data.
Read More: How to Safely Apply for a Personal Loan Online
Here’s an easy preventative measure: regularly update all your software and apps. This includes:
Key Takeaway: Regularly updating software and enabling auto-updates prevents scammers from exploiting vulnerabilities to access your devices and accounts. Stay vigilant.
Trusting someone online without verifying first is like following a stranger into a dark alley because they promised you a pot of gold, which is unlikely to end well!
Whenever contacted out of the blue by an individual or company online:
Key Takeaway: Don’t take people who contact you online at face value without verifying legitimacy signals like contact information and reviews first. Trust, but verify.
Weak passwords are like leaving your door unlocked with a sign saying, “Rob me, I’ve got jewels inside!” Don’t make the scammer’s job easy.
Secure accounts with strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
Characteristics of strong passwords:
Key Takeaway: Unique, strong passwords and two-factor authentication act as digital deadbolts to block scammers from accessing your accounts if your password is compromised.
Online scams are an unfortunate byproduct of modern life. By understanding common schemes, putting preventative safeguards in place, and approaching online interactions with appropriate skepticism, you can confidently communicate and transact online without compromising security.