You can avoid getting scammed if know what to look out for and contacting the Action Fraud number. Many scams are based on fear to trick you into making quick decisions and giving information or money.
Always be skeptical of any call, email or letter that you receive. Use your phone or tablet’s call and text blocking tools, and check that a business is legitimate by searching for them online.
Don’t share your personal information
The theft of personal data is a common theme in scams. This data can be used to access bank accounts, credit cards and other financial accounts. Scammers use techniques such spoofing, skimming, and phishing to get your personal information. Phishing involves sending an official-looking email to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or PINs. Spoofing is when a call or email is made to look like it comes from a trusted source such as your bank, but is actually from a fraudulent source. Criminals can use a device at ATMs or point-of-sale locations to read the magnetic strip of a credit card. The crooks can then use that information to make purchases online or at physical stores.
The best way to avoid falling victim to this scam is not to give out personal information such as your social security number or account numbers. A legitimate company would never ask you for this information via text or phone call. If you do receive such a request, always contact the business through a known method, such as by using their website or a phone number from a directory.
Students should also avoid sharing too much personal data on social media. This includes details such as their date of birth, home address and other information that could be used in identity theft or fraud. This information should never be shared with strangers. If they do, only with the permission of their parents.
Students should know what information to keep private, even from their family and friends. They should not give out any personal information without parental consent, such as their name, home address or school name. They should not allow anyone to view their private videos or photos on social media without parental supervision. Students should never share their passwords with others and use strong passwords for their accounts. Students should enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Don’t give out money
Scammers use a variety of tricks to steal money or personal data. Some of the common scams involve asking for money or financial information. This can be done via text, email or social networking messaging. Scammers often pretend to be from organizations you know, like the IRS or Medicare. Even their caller ID can be altered to make them appear legitimate. Legitimate organisations will never contact you by text, email or via social media to ask for personal information or to send cash.
Some scams ask for money up front in exchange for a prize or investment, or a job. These kinds of scams are especially dangerous during times of disaster or other crisis, when kind-hearted people may want to help. It is best to give directly to a charitable organization rather than through a middleman.
You should also be wary of anyone who asks you to wire money or send it through a service like Western Union or MoneyGram. These services are used by scammers to conceal and move stolen funds. Scammers may even try to trick people into becoming money mules.
The best way to avoid scammers is to never send them money. Pay for items using your bank account or credit card whenever possible. If you want to buy something not available locally, go online and find a reputable seller. Never send payment to anyone who insists on only accepting cryptocurrency, wire transfer services or gift cards.
Don’t send money via gift cards or wire transfer
During the year, scammers took advantage of people through gift cards and wire transfers more than any other payment method. This is because they are easy to use, and don’t raise any alarms. Scammers can convert card balances to cash or virtual currency that they can then use for their own benefit.
Don’t buy prepaid gift cards if someone asks you to do so. They may also ask for the codes and PINs. This is almost always an indication of a scam. Scammers can steal gift card codes, and then spend the money without your knowledge. They can also use fake email addresses and social media accounts to make the request seem legitimate.
In addition, scammers will often say they need the gift cards to pay a debt, cover legal fees or for some other reason that is not true. They can even pose like government agencies or companies in order to get your money. Real companies would never ask for your bank information or ask you to send money this way.
Remember that scammers can be very clever and will say anything to get you to part with your money. They will use information to get you to act fast, but you should listen to your gut. Don’t let the fear of being rude stop you from asking questions and verifying the situation in another way. For example, by calling or contacting their website or social media pages.
