online scams part iv

Steps to protect yourself from scams:

Take a moment and breathe.

Many scams will push you to act fast before you think about what you’re doing using flashing screens, threatening language, and official looking logos. Before taking any action, take a moment to yourself and question what you’re seeing.

Know who you’re talking to.

Whether it is someone messaging you with your friends name and photo, or an email from your bank, not everyone is who they seem. Think how you would typically talk to this person or business and contact them that way rather than replying directly to the message.

Restart your device and pay attention

If your device suddenly starts acting up at the same time you get a pop-up message, sometimes it’s best to restart. After you restart, pay attention as you open specific apps or go to certain websites that seem to cause the message, or where the message appears. It may not return at all, but anything you notice about your activity leading up to the message appearing will make fixing it much easier.

Protect your information.

Know which accounts are tied to other accounts. Your email is likely tied to your bank account. That makes your email just as important as your bank password. Additionally, never send or share your account information with anyone online or over the phone unless you have verified that they are who they say they are.

Real or fake?

This section could be a book and will at least be a lengthier post later on. The short version is to pay attention to subtle things that at first glance seem normal. Is someone talking differently than you are used to? Are there misspelled words or bad looking graphics? Is the wording vague or is the topic meant to shock you? If you hover your mouse over a link, does it match what you thought you were clicking? If it seems fake, it probably is. If you cannot tell, ask a friend who knows to take a look.

Never click the link or call the number!

Many scams will have an alarming message containing FINAL NOTICE, your device has been infected, IRS Audit, the FBI, the Police, or even that you won money or prizes. These messages are often accompanied by a link to click, to download the solution or a phone number to call claiming to be the company or organization stated in the email. Never, and I mean NEVER, use a phone number or click a link that is directly adjacent to unexpected good or bad news. 

How are you paying?

There are now more ways to pay than ever, but if you are talking to someone who you don’t know about a payment method you’re unfamiliar with, it’s worth reconsidering who it is you think you’re talking to. The IRS does not accept bitcoin or apple gift cards, so that tax debt they’re claiming you have probably doesn’t exist either. Online marketplaces are also potential places where a scammer can pick up a quick buck or steal your items. They either promise you a product or money and never deliver on their part. More often than not they will demand payment while they ship or say they have shipped your item to make sure only their side of the transaction is satisfactory.

When in doubt, change your passwords.

If you ever think someone may have access to your account or even if you logged in from a page that looked strange to you, change your password. 

Scam-Buster Tip of the week: But seriously… Do you Really know who you’re talking to?

This may be repetitive, but it’s critical. Make sure the person you’re speaking with is who they claim to be. Even if it’s a family member. Remember that it’s easy to pretend to be someone else online. It’s best to always contact someone in a different way if they ask for something from you and never by an unknown number or email they give you. If your child, parent, friend, or even boss asks you for money or private information through an email, call them on the number you have saved in your phone, or go and see them in person first. If it is a representative from a business, government agency, or any type of organization, research the organization online and find a way to verify that who you are speaking to is associated with them. Before you do so, never give out any information to “Verify” who you are. Remember, they contacted you.  And NEVER assume any information they give you over the phone is legitimate including websites, phone numbers, or account information regardless of how real it appears.