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Helpful Tips to Avoid Scammers Online

01/14/2022 16:31:05 +0800
Imagine working hard to earn money, to pay bills for your expenses, or to support your sister's education. And in just one click, all of your investments are gone like a bubble in thin air. For sure, the only explanation is that you got yourself scammed. Remember that opportunists are everywhere. And they're waiting for their prey, for you, to make a wrong move. Not only that, scammers will do everything to fool you. They may pretend to be from an organization where they need information regarding your bank account and savings.
 
Therefore, it is crucial to defend yourself at all times. And what better way to start than by reading this article about the things you need to remember before investing online.
Do a Background Check First
Whether they present themselves as government employees or officials, don't let your guard down and do background checking first. Nowadays, it is so hard to trust anyone, particularly if they're communicating with you online. They might use a real name, make some name that sounds official, or claim that they're from somewhere important. These scammers use such advanced technologies that they can even alter the caller I.D when it appears on your phone. As such, the phone number you're seeing might not be real at all.

 

Certainly, you have heard of the catchphrase, "Everyone is doing it, so it must be legit," right? One of the big mistakes for new investors is believing in this catchphrase. They get persuaded by the impressively articulated sales talk from scammers that usually lead to them getting ripped off afterward. For better and safe background checking, it would be best to check out this anti-fraudster guideline.

They Will Rush You
Scammers will rely on urgency because they need the money so badly. But what's worse is that creating a sense of urgency will appeal more to your emotions. This, in turn, makes you prone to falling for their scams. They will offer you a price that is so difficult to resist and make you think that forgoing it will make you regret it after. These prices are typically low and laced with "limited offers only." These two can easily implant the idea that you need what a scammer is offering despite it not being the case.

 

This tactic is what we all know as baiting. Some of these smooth-talking fraudsters will latch unto you until they get what they really want, your cash - all of it if they're cunning enough. Their usual openers are phrases like, "Are you open-minded?" It is such a simple and harmless-sounding question, but it is covertly lethal once you answer it with a yes. And once they got you hooked from the get-go, it is relatively smooth-sailing for them to make their plans come to fruition.

First off, they will ask for your source of income and how badly you need money. If the scammers find out that you're capable of providing them money, they will pest your inbox from time to time. Make sure not to make any transaction with them and avoid clicking anything they send. If they're rushing you to either join them in the organization to become wealthy in no time or buy products with limited time offer only, don't hesitate to block and delete them from your contacts.

Spamming Irrelevant Messages
I know you have already experienced this one—emails, inboxes, and other messaging platforms filled with spam messages. Scammers will send messages in either a solution or prize form. Any of these messages typically resonate with your problems, especially regarding money. Scammers have become so creative in their swindling that it is quite challenging to detect whether anything is legit anymore. Scammers are irritating. Make sure to read the Next Level Cybersecurity Signals Book to avoid being scammed.

 

Moreover, there are many ways these scammers will infiltrate your inbox no matter what. Even if you block their account, they'll create another one to bug you again. Some scammers may also say that there's a problem with your bank account and need a fast response to fix them. But one of the most creative ones is the one claiming that you won money in a lottery, and there's a fee you need to pay before claiming it.
These all sound fishy, right? Because they are. If something is too good to be true, then it probably is - keep that in mind.

Ask For Their Company's Address
Before traipsing down the road of cooperation, you must first ask their company's location. If you can't find the investment company online, chances are, it is a scam. Make sure to do your research prior to investing in anything. Remember that Google is your partner in this aspect. Search for the registered company's name online and read everything about them. Also, corporations are technically not registered nationally in the U.S., but they are per state.

 

Now, let's assume they got the domain name for their scam material. Check the "about us" to see where they are incorporated. After that, you need to go to the Secretary Of State (SOS) and search for available corporations in that state. Lastly, check the United States Patent and Trademark Office credentials to see if the company is registered under a trademark with their name. If you truly want a foolproof plan, then enlist a reputable lawyer because if a large amount of money is at stake, what's the harm in overdoing it, right?

Think Before You Click
It is fairly normal to be curious and intrigued about well-crafted messages that you receive. But beware of fraud and the scams that may be behind them. Make sure to think before you click in the online world because it may lead to your downfall. Links sent by scammers can be disguised as imitation links similar to popular websites. But once you click that link, it will redirect you to another page full of countless clickable ads.

 

So, before engaging with messages, ensure where they came from and their credibility. If you're searching for something and need to find it somewhere on the web, you need to activate your anti-virus and firewall to protect you from malicious content.

Types of Online Scams 
In terms of avoiding online scams, another big trick is knowing what the different kinds of online scams actually look like. There are plenty of credit card, social security, security software, gift cards, fraudulent emails, romance scams, and many other types of online fraud out there. Let's take a closer look at what sets apart scams from legitimate businesses and what this type of online fraud might look like.
 

Shopping Scams

One of the most common types of scams out there is the shopping scam. These are difficult to detect because they are often very random in nature. Here, you will see bogus retailers claiming that they are selling a specific product. However, once they get your money, they have no intention of actually providing you with said product.

Keep in mind that this type of scam will often come to you either on social media or through email. If you get an email saying that you can buy some sort of luxury product for an unbelievably low price, you can rest assured that it is most likely a scam. Moreover, this is a dangerous type of scam because if you provide your credit card information, your card may be used for future "purchases".

Phishing Scams

Another common type of scam, perhaps the most common of all, is the phishing scam, and the reason it is so popular is because it works far too often. Phishing scams have one purpose, and that is to gain access to your financial information. An example of this is if a friend emails you asking for your credit card information, in which case it is clear that their email account has been hacked.

Some of these emails are designed to look like they originate from a trusted business or government entity. For instance, you could get an email asking for your social security number. People, no legit agency is every going to ask for your social security number via email.

The Nigerian Scam

One of the oldest scams out there that still gets way more people than it should is the Nigerian scam. Here, you will get an email from someone claiming to be Nigerian royalty, such as a prince.

They might tell you something along the lines of they need you to send them $1,000 so they can unlock their bank accounts, and when they do, they will send you $100,000 for your troubles. Rest assured, these people are not Nigerian royalty, and they will certainly never send you any money.

Digital Kidnapping

Another form of online scam is known as digital kidnapping. Here, scammers or hackers will take control of your social media accounts, and other accounts, and then force you to pay them money to hand control back over to you.

There are also many cases where these scammers will threaten to post or share harmful contact, such as pictures that you don't want others seeing. Essentially, this is nothing more than blackmail and extortion.

Dating Scams

The next most common type of online scam out there is the dating scam. Here, scammers will create online dating profiles to lure in unsuspecting victims. They will seem like real people and they will work very hard to create a relationship with you, to establish trust.

Then, once trust has been established, they will ask you for money. If you notice that somebody likes you a whole lot in spite of never having met you, which is then followed by them asking for money, you can rest assured that it is a scam.

Charity Scams

Another common type of scam out there is the charity scam. This one is very simple. An organization that claims to be a charity contacts you, generally through email, asking for a donation. If you haven't heard of the charity, particularly after doing some research, then it is a scam.

Lottery or Sweepstakes Scams

The other type of scam you should be aware of is the fake lottery scam. Here, you will be contacted by someone who claims that you won money or some sort of prize.

However, to access your prize, you will need to provide some personal or financial information. People, if you never entered the lottery or sweepstakes, then how could you possibly have won something? 

Final Takeaway
Make sure to protect your personal information no matter what happens. Don't share personal information and security details with just about anyone. Keep in mind to always be cautious about your actions and decisions when dealing with things online. And remember, being paranoid about online offers and services is better than being robbed off of your hard-earned money. 
A Little Bit of Advice to our Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Starting a business is a continuous process of learning and growth. It's critical to develop both practical and emotional abilities. Check out Aspiring Entrepreneurs, blogs, podcasts, courses, and books are offered by our very own business expert Sophie Howard.
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About the Host
Sophie Howard is the founder of Aspiring Entrepreneurs, a community designed to help people develop the skills and confidence to build a business and a life that serves them. Sophie began online in 2013 with an Amazon firm, which she sold for more than $1 million in 2015.

Sophie has lectured on stages all around the world, encouraging and teaching other ambitious entrepreneurs. She has established instructional programs educating thousands of students how to sell online, in addition to releasing over 1000 products.

Sophie has also written a book titled "Aspiring Entrepreneurs: A Guide to Finding Your Best Path to Financial Freedom."
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