Scams are becoming more and more frequent these days. I personally have received the trifecta of texts, phone calls and emails attempting to scam my money.
It is so important to pay attention to every detail if anything seems like it isn’t right. The language in the texts and emails is usually an immediate giveaway, and often, my phone will tell me it’s a scam alert, so I don’t answer – and the voicemail will be in another language.
These scams are looking to get your money or sensitive data to get as much information from you as possible. Falling victim to such scams can lead to financial losses and emotional distress, so understanding what a digital scam is the first step towards protecting yourself.
Each tactic is becoming more cunning than the last as scammers evolve and find new ways to reach out to you. Here are some of the methods I have faced personally:
- Phishing emails and websites: Scammers often pose as trusted entities such as banks or government agencies, sending emails or creating websites that look identical to the real ones. They attempt to trick recipients into revealing their personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers.
- Text messages for overdue bills: There is a rise in phone numbers being used to text people saying they are from a toll company or that a package has not been delivered, hoping you will click the link and process a payment because you believe you owe them money.
- Marketplace (Facebook): Scammers will reach out wanting to purchase something you have for sale, and then insist on sending a relative to collect it and pay you using PayPal. They’ll send you an email saying the funds aren’t working and to pay the amount and they’ll send you back double the amount.
These are a couple of things I look for:
- Check the sender ID in the email, often the email address will be messy and a jumble of weird letters, or look almost legitimate but Facebook won’t email you from facebook@gmail.com.
- Read the language of the email carefully, it will be broken English and feel uncomfortable to read.
- If you haven’t ordered anything for delivery or don’t have a toll account you’ll know immediately that it’s a scam attempt.
The danger of scams is growing, and they are getting very clever with their approach and hiding their intentions.
I have five key concepts that can provide scam protection if you consider them before reacting to the requests:
- Never share personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, or credit card numbers via email or phone unless you are certain of the entity you are dealing with.
- Be sceptical of unsolicited contact: If you receive a call, email, or text message out of the blue from an entity requesting personal information or money, treat it with caution.
- Always check the source: If contacted by a company or organisation, independently find their official contact details and confirm the request is legitimate.
- Use secure and traceable payment methods: When shopping or making online transactions, using secure and traceable payment methods can provide additional protection.
- Install and regularly update security software: Use comprehensive security software and keep it updated to protect your devices from the latest threats.
Adopting these practices can significantly decrease the likelihood of falling victim to scams, but no system offers complete immunity from scams, and maintaining vigilance and good practices is equally important.
Another way to protect your data is by using password managers like LastPass. They generate and store complex unique passwords and this will reduce your risk through the encryption and security in place. Hackers will take a password and try various combinations to access other logins, so having a different password for all websites you use will help protect your data.
There’s even a technique called a ‘dictionary attack’, where hackers systematically enter every word in the dictionary as a password, hoping to hit upon the right one. All these techniques underscore the importance of maintaining strong, unique passwords for your online accounts.
Maintaining cyber security involves constant vigilance and informed action. Password managers can aid these efforts by securely storing and managing your passwords.
They not only alert you to potential security threats but also shield your passwords from various hacking techniques, including phishing, brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and dictionary attacks.
Despite the technicalities, a proactive approach, the right tools, and a bit of knowledge, we can each play a part in our online security. Remember, the power to safeguard your digital world is in your hands. Stay safe, stay informed, and embrace the online world with confidence and peace of mind.