7 Signs You Might Be Part of an Internet Scam

You never think you’ll be a victim to an internet scam, but it can happen to anyone. However, if you keep your guard up, you could save yourself a lot of time and money. Keep a look out for these 7 signs to avoid getting roped into an internet scam.

1. “Phishing” for information

Phishing is an unsolicited email from what appears to be your bank or other official organization. The email will encourage you to click on a link taking you to a replica website which looks identical to the website you were expecting. From there, you’ll be asked to verify your personal information, which will go into the hands of the scammer.

Your bank won’t send you a link to verify personal information in an email. If you get an email similar to this be sure to go directly to your bank’s website, sign in, and check for yourself. You can always call the bank or organization directly as well, but use a phone number from your own personal records, not the one listed in the email.

2. Sensitive information requests

If you get a request by phone or email asking you for sensitive information, which seems like it should already be in the system of the person who is calling, make sure you don’t click on the link or give any of your information away on the phone as this could lead to identity theft or the installation of malware on your computer.

3. Name-sender disagreements

Sometimes you’ll open an email and it will appear to be from a legitimate source such as your bank, one of your social media accounts, or a dating site. The small detail that a lot of people don’t notice is the email address it was sent from. More times than not the email won’t match where it says it came from. For instance, Match.com wouldn’t send an email from the address: starwarsfan@hotmail.com.

4. Caps lock

Be wary of any overly enthusiastic emails. Caps lock is not only annoying in these types of emails, but it can also be a key indicator of spam. It’s best to avoid the emails with emphasis and exclamations, such as “I JUST LOST 60 POUNDS! YOU CAN TOO!” Delete them right away and look for legitimate services and products.

5. Money requests from friends

In a state of urgency your friends won’t send you an email when there are much quicker ways to ask for your help such as a phone call or text. Many cyber scammers are appealing to people’s quick desire to help out a friend in need by sending emails from your friends in states of emergency. You won’t find out until you talk to your friend later they didn’t really need the money and you were scammed.

6. Advance fee

The advance fee scam comes in many forms but can be easily identified as any situation where you’re asked to pay a fee in advance before you can attain a product or service. This can happen when you try to order a product or service from an illegitimate website. It can even happen if you receive an email stating you won a prize, either money or a tangible object, and you have to send money in advance to cover processing fees and taxes.

7. Checks for overpayment

Another common scam people fall for, which is the opposite of the advance fee scam, is when scammers send you a check for something you have posted online for sale, and the check is written for more than the item is being sold for. Right up front this seems fishy, but what exactly is happening?

The scammer is writing you a check which will temporarily clear the bank. Then, when you send the check to them for the difference, the check they wrote to you will bounce which means you’ll be out money.

Too good to be true

Protecting yourself from financial scammers will be well worth the work. A rule of thumb to live by is if an offer, product, service, etc. seems too good to be true, it probably is. Keep the “too good to be true” theory in mind and you will avoid being a part of an internet scam.

What other internet scams have you avoided?