The Different Online Scams

Scams are usually sent to your email account.

The internet is a gift to humanity.

We shop, make reservations, and pay our bills online and some of us even has online jobs. That is the advantages of technology and in addition, we can do everything, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. But be aware that when we navigate and access websites, we are also opening doors to scammers.  The perpetrators can enter our workplace, homes, even our private lives.

Scammers are brilliant. For years, they studied every details but they have something in common. So, we all should know the different online scams.

Here are some of them:

• Phishing Emails – Deceives a victim to a website pose as a real banking or eCommerce site. It looks like your real account when you log in, but the fake site will send the scammer all the data you entered. Surprise, the scammer has wiped out everything you have – your cards, bank accounts, and even your own identity.
• Nigerian 419 Scams (also known as Advanced Fee Fraud) – This has been around for years it came from Nigeria as the name suggests. Potential victims are contacted through social networking message, email, letter, or text message. A huge amount of money will be offered to you just to assist in transferring a personal money out of the country.
• Killer Spam: Hitman Email – This could mean that you got an email containing a threat message. You need to pay or you die.
• Pump and Dump Stock Scams – You will receive numerous email that has confidential information regarding certain stock. The scammer wants to inflate the price and sell the stocks in a much expensive price.
• Greeting Card Scams – You will receive a greeting card in your email that will seem to come from family or a good friend. The scammer will take advantage of your curiosity so it’s best if you do not click the card. A booby-trapped web page will allow trojans horses to go straight to your computer system. A ransomware will infect your system and you will be asked to pay.
• Lottery Winner Scams – You will be told that you won something like a huge amount of money. Watch out when you are asked personal information to get your prize. The scammer will tell you it is just for tax purposes and bank deposit. If you have not entered a giveaway, then, that is surely a scam.

These scams are usually sent to your email address. Be careful when opening to emails from unknown senders. You do not have to open every email you get.