How do Online Scam Work? Use this guide to online scams to protect your devices and information from internet scams and other cyber threats.
The Internet is a great way to learn about new things, keep in touch with friends and family, and even have our favorite goods and services at our fingertips. But there are some possible risks, like online scams. And in the last few years, they’ve increased by almost 70%, according to Internet Crime Report.
With that in mind, it’s time to learn about the current Online scams, how they work, the warning signs of internet scams, and the best ways to stay safe online.
What Are Online Scams?
Online scams, which are also known as internet scams, are always changing and can be very different. Someone who uses internet services or software to scam or take advantage of people, usually for financial gain, is usually called a “hacker.”
Cybercriminals may contact potential victims through their personal or work email accounts, social networking sites, dating apps, or other ways to get financial or other valuable personal information.
Many scams that work on the internet end the same way: The victim either loses their own money or doesn’t get the money that the cybercriminal said they would get. In the worst case, the person could even lose their personality.
10 Current Online Scams
Scammers have come up with many ways to trick people on the internet. Here are 20 of the most popular online scams.
1. Phishing scams
In the past few years, cybercriminals have been able to trick a lot of people with phishing attempts, which will cost victims over $54 million by 2020. You don’t have to be a victim of this type of online scam, though, if you know how it works and how to protect yourself:
- The cybercriminal sends you an email that looks like it came from a bank, social network site, or online shop.
- You are tricked into clicking on a link to a scam website or a file that is harmful.
- The cybercriminal puts malware on your computer or uses your stolen login information to steal your private information.
Signs of an online scam:
- Urgent tones
- Misspellings and bad grammar
- Demands that come with fears of losing money
- Not-quite-right-looking logos
Tip to avoid online scams:
If you’re unsure if an email is real, go straight to the company’s main website.
2. Ransomware
If a cybercriminal is good with phishing scams, for example, they could infect your computer with ransomware. Once the malware is installed, a cyberthief could lock your files and ask for a ransom, which is usually paid in a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. And since the amount of money lost to ransomware is expected to reach $265 billion by 2031, you should know how to protect yourself.
Signs of an online scam: Attachments and/or files in strange emails.
Tip for avoiding online scams: Always back up your data and get antivirus software to warn you about possible bugs.
3. Scareware
Scareware can take a few forms, but fake antivirus software is one of the most popular. What happens: A pop-up message tells you your gadget has a virus. Then it offers “free antivirus” software to fix the problem. This software is fake and is used to install malware that can steal your personal information.
Signs of an online scam:
- The software checks your machine right away for viruses.
- It’s hard to close the pop-up.
- The pop-up wants you to do something right away.
- You have never heard of the company that makes software.
Tip for avoiding online scams: Don’t click on malware alerts that you didn’t expect.
4. Travel scams
Scammers have even used our desire to travel to get people to give them more than $175 million in 2020 through online travel scams. Here’s how most of them work:
- The person sending the email says they are a trip insurance agent.
- Their fake but well-made email tries to get you to buy travel insurance for a trip you just booked.
- They write down information about you and your bank accounts. misuse
This online scam can also be sold on social networking sites. In this case, online hackers post pictures of vacations that look good but have hidden malicious links. Once you click, you’ll be taken to a bad site that tells you you’ve won a free trip. Then, they’ll try to get you to enter your personal information to claim your win, and then they’ll steal your information.
Signs of an online scam:
- No matter what event happens, travel agents who give full insurance coverage will cover it.
- Posts on social media that take you to unsafe places
- Only bank transfers can be used to pay them.
Tip for avoiding online scams: Only buy travel insurance from trusted companies.
5. Fake shopping websites
Cybercriminals can also make and post fake shopping sites that look real or are copies of real store sites. Most of the time, they have deals that seem too good to be true.
For example, you can find popular clothing names and expensive electronics at prices that seem too good to be true. Hackers use these deals to get you to buy fake goods and record your banking information when you do so that they can use it later.
Hackers also target online shoppers by taking over their forms. They will try to break into the website of a real retail company and send shoppers to a fake payment page. They could use the fake forms to steal your credit card information and other personal details.
Signs of an online scam: A redirect that takes you to a page with “http://” in the URL. Unbelievable prices
Tip for avoiding online scams: Get trusted security software that will warn you about websites that might not be safe.
6. Grandparent scams
When it comes to the internet, people over 65 are more likely to get hurt. Scammers online know this all too well, and they use the fact that grandparents are caring and loving against them in grandmother scams.
This online scam works by sending a grandparent an urgent message or email claiming to be a grandchild who needs money. They might say they are traveling abroad and need money for a last-minute train ticket or help paying an unexpected hospital bill.
Signs of an online scam:
- A text message or email from a number that hasn’t been saved
- A request from a loved one for an amount of money that is too much
Tip for avoiding online scams: Don’t act right away, and do your best to confirm your grandchild’s name by asking them questions only they would know the answers to.
7. Romance Scams
Internet dating can be a great way to meet possible dates, but cybercriminals can also use it to try to steal from people who don’t know what’s going on. In 2020, more than 35,000 people fell for romance scams alone. The online scam works like this.
- The scammer usually finds their victim on an online dating site and starts an online friendship with them.
- The cybercriminal gets the target to trust him or her, but there are always reasons why they can’t meet in person.
- The cyberthief asks the target for money or information about his or her money.
If you don’t catch a romance scam in time, the person you thought liked you could steal your personal information and/or money. But don’t worry, because there are signs that can help you stay alert.
Signs of an online scam:
- Their description sounds too good to be true.
- They don’t live in the state.
- They move quickly in the relationship and ask for money or personal information.
Tip for avoiding online scams: If you start a friendship with someone online, protect yourself by asking a lot of questions, going slow, and never giving out personal information.
8. Hitman scams
In another type of internet scam, a cybercriminal may send you a message threatening to embarrass or hurt you or a family member unless you pay a bond. These schemes are called “hitman scams.”
The scammer may have used your social media accounts to learn about you and your life, which could make the claim seem more real or urgent.
If you get one of these texts, you should tell the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI and the police in your area.
Signs of an online scam:
- You get a message from someone who says they’re going to hurt you.
- The cybercriminal says they will leave you alone if you pay them a certain amount of money.
Tip for avoiding online scams: Don’t answer spam texts or emails from numbers or sites you don’t know.
9. Lottery Scams
The lotto scam might be thought of as a type of phishing scam. What happens: An email might tell you that you’ve won a lot of money, a free trip to a faraway place, or some other great gift.
- The message will say that you only need to pay a few small fees to get your trip or prize.
- After you pay those fees, the group will never contact you again.
Signs of an online scam:
- You win a prize that you didn’t even enter.
- Almost too good to be true prizes
- You have to pay a fee to get your prize.
Tip for avoiding online scams: Never click on pop-ups or links from emails that seem too good to be true.
10. Tech support scams
Fraudsters market fake software services and tech support scams by using urgent pop-up messages or fake online ads. Some of these internet scams may tell you that your computer has a major problem and offer tech support services that you don’t need because the problem doesn’t exist. Once they have you hooked, they could use the fake software they are offering to try to put malware on your devices.
Signs of an online scam:
- Messages that pop up out of nowhere
- “Tech support” wants to be paid through a money transfer.
A good way to avoid getting scammed online is to download security software from a reputable company.
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How To Protect Yourself from Online Scams?
The first step in avoiding online scams is understanding how they work. But these tips on how to avoid online scams could help you even more.
Set up multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication, also called two-factor authentication, is an extra layer of security that some online accounts give. This means that you need at least two passwords to log in to an account. This could be a password plus a special code sent to your phone or email. It could also use biometric protection, like recognizing your face or scanning your fingerprints.
So, if a scammer gets your username and password, multi-factor security makes it harder for them to get into your accounts.
Never Respond To Scam Messages
Responding to junk texts could make several things happen, like installing malware or ensuring your phone number or email address works.
You can avoid online scams by not clicking on links, opening attachments, replying to the message, trying to unsubscribe, or calling any phone number mentioned in a suspicious message. And never send money, your credit card number, or any other personal information to someone you don’t know or trust.
Install Antivirus Software
Malware can’t get on your computer or device if you have security software that you can trust. If the software finds bad code, such as a virus or worm, it works to stop or eliminate it.
This could help keep your devices and data safe if you click on a bad link by chance. Make sure you only download software, apps, and services from the official sites of the companies that make them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Scams
Use these questions and answers to learn more about online scams and what to do if you find one.
What are the most popular ways to get money online?
Here are the most recent online scams you should be aware of today:
- Phishing scams
- Fake shopping websites
- Romance scams
- Social media scams
- Mobile scams
How do Online Scam Work?
A cybercriminal may email or text to trick you into giving them private information, like your payment information, which they can then use to steal your money and/or your identity.
Why do people fall for scams?
Hackers are good at using social engineering and phishing to trick people into giving up valuable information. This means that many people fall for online scams.