Even the savvy consumer can be ripped off. There are certain situations in which we can be more vulnerable to a scammer’s plot. According to Scambusters, “In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, we wanted to remind you that whenever there is a major natural or other disaster, scammers start sending out humanitarian aid and other scams almost immediately.”
The 2009 Internet Crime Report states that reported losses from online fraud reached nearly $560 million in 2009. The most popular types of scams included attempted identity theft using the FBI name.
In the age of new technologies, in which more and more transactions are carried out in cyberspace, consumers must be one step ahead of scammers. So how do you protect yourself from disappointment?
Geeks On Site has compiled a list of precautions that every computer user should be familiar with:
- Understanding how scammers operate
- Manage and protect your personal data
- Never open attachments from unknown senders
- Be very careful when transacting online
- Review your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions
- Do not download unknown software or apps
- Check store/seller reviews if purchasing items online
- Change your passwords regularly
Geeks On Site is eager to share tips to protect yourself from various scams that are common on the Internet. Some of the most popular scams are:
– Identity theft (phishing) and credit card fraud (false purchases): Do not reply to any email requesting your bank account/credit card information. Legitimate banks and credit card companies will not request such sensitive information via email. If in doubt, contact your bank/credit card company.
– Charitable aid (natural disasters): Do not reply to or send any credit card information to unsolicited emails requesting donations. Be aware that these scammers will use names similar to the name of the actual organization, if this is the case, look them up in the phone book or do some research first. It is best to donate to a well-known relief organization instead.
– Work from home (initial investment required): Most of these programs will ask you to pay for a package that will give you the information you “need” to make big money. Beware of these companies and do your research before getting involved with them.
– Spam (viruses, pop-ups): Make sure that the software, applications, and files you download from the Internet come from trusted sources. In addition to the risk of getting a virus and corrupting all your files, some malicious files can install spyware, in which the authors can collect any information you enter into your computer, such as credit card numbers, without your consent. Unknown software can also install adware, in which a user’s browsing preferences are tracked to display unwanted ads via banners and pop-ups.
– Email scams (fake lottery and prizes): You may receive an email stating that you won a lottery or were “randomly selected” for a prize. They will require a fee to be paid upfront to get the prize, and of course you won’t see any money.
– Online purchase fraud (eBay): Keep in mind that on sites like eBay, you are dealing with vendors and individuals. Avoid ending up with a product that isn’t exactly what you expected, or having to pay for merchandise that didn’t arrive. Before you buy anything, check seller ratings and read buyer reviews. Please be sure to read the item description carefully and ask any questions before committing to purchase an item as returns are not accepted in some cases. If the transaction is not resolved after further negotiations with the seller, you can always file a dispute; but it may take a while to get your money back.
Finally, computer users are encouraged to report suspicious activity. A well-respected resource for more information on Internet scams is the Federal Trade Commission website, www.ftc.gov. And all victims of online scams are encouraged to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.
Geeks On Site has qualified technicians who will help their customers avoid falling victim to an Internet scam by installing excellent firewall hardware or software. They also recommend users protect their computers with antivirus, spyware, and spam software.