How to avoid internet scams

With internet shopping inevitably comes online fraud. You can never be too careful enough. Below are some of the most common scams and how they can be avoided.

Suspicious emails

Online fraud has existed ever since the internet has come into being. Nowadays, you can never be too conscientious when browsing the internet as more scams than ever are trying to separate you from your money. Many scams operate through unsolicited emails. If you receive an email that you are not 100% sure is safe, then you must not open it. “Phishing” scams rely on internet users assuming email security, and often redirect to malware infested websites. Some even insist that you download the latest versions of popular software in order to view a message from a friend. This is rarely the reality, instead you install harmful software onto your computer capable of damaging your machine or stealing your personal details. Other scam emails are more direct in asking for money. One well-known example is that of the Nigerian prince. The fraudster asks for a relatively small amount of money to process a transaction, for which you are promised a fortune in return. This scam has evolved and changed over the years, but remember to never transfer money to unknown accounts.

Online shopping

It is common for fraudsters to make money using online auction sites. They upload products and allow users to bid. However, once the auction has finished and payment has been received, the seller never sends any merchandise. However, most major online auctioneers have previous buying and selling history available, so be sure to never purchase anything from users without a proven record. By using larger corporations such as eBay to host their scams, thieves can expect to receive almost retail value for their non-existent goods. However, there are millions of private websites offering similar products. To entice customers away from major retailers, smaller scam websites often price their items at a fraction of their worth. They will happily receive your payment and send nothing in return.

Whom to trust?

No legitimate company or bank will ever ask you to surrender credit card details unless making a transaction. Many scams pose as major corporations asking for personal information necessary to make important amendments to your account. Never trust these emails. If you are unsure, then just go to your local bank and make the transaction in person, and get a receipt. It’s much safer. The best thing you can do to avoid internet scams is to use common sense. Give details to companies that you trust only, and never open suspicious emails. If a promise on the internet seems too good to be true, then it probably is!