You won't get scammed if you know what to look out for!
Online scams are becoming more and more common as the Internet becomes a central part of everything we do. Scammers are using social media, email messages, text messages, or phony websites to try to steal your money or personal information. The good news is that you can avoid being scammed if you know what to look out for.
This post will cover how online scams work and what to watch out for when using the web; help you avoid being scammed by knowing who might be trying to scam you ; give some suggestions on how you can stay safe from schemes in 2017; and provide some resources for reading more about this important topic.
Websites:
www.net-security.org/websites-to-avoid-in-2017 -The list of unreliable websites, as recommended by cybersecurity experts.
http://scams.about.com/od/scamsandfrauds/a/scammer.htm - The Fraud, Scam and Ripoff report tells you your rights when it comes to scams; how the law protects you from scammers; what to do if you get a scam email or text message; and how to report a scam – without getting involved.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ScamFreeUSA - Developed by the FTC and FBI, ScamFreeUSA makes it easy to report scams and frauds – without getting involved.
https://www.facebook.com/YourIdentityMatters - The Identity Theft Resource Center is run by the Federal Trade Commission. They offer information about identity theft, including how to prevent it; what steps you can take to help protect your identity; how to report a scam; and how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft in the first place.
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/IdentityTheft - Identity Theft is when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit crimes in your name. If you find out you're a victim of identity theft, report it to the FTC: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-identity-theft
LinkedIn:
http://lnkd.in/2g7Lh6W - The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection has more than two decades of experience protecting consumers from scams and fraudulent business practices online, on the phone and in person.
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ftcvideos - The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection agency. Here you'll find consumer tips, news about scams and frauds, resources for businesses and an online tool that allows consumers to file complaints about companies directly with the FTC — as well as how to avoid consumer rip-offs in illegal 'get rich quick' schemes and health products that are actually worthless or dangerous.
Tips of How to Avoid Fraud:
Avoiding Fraud Starts With You : http://bit.ly/2uC1hNv
Most Common Types of Scams : http://bit.ly/2tVALYc
How to Avoid Frauds and Scams in Your Email : http://bit.ly/2utROPP
Should I Answer the Phone?: http://nyti.ms/2g7ZKAd
If someone calls you out of the blue with a fantastic deal, chances are it's a scam. But sometimes even legitimate businesses call their customers with special offers that sound too good to be true. Here are 4 tips for figuring out how to tell if a call is legitimate or a scam: http://bit.ly/2g7ZK5u
How Can I Protect Myself From Internet Scams?: http://nyti.ms/2wqe0QY
How To Protect Yourself Online : http://tinyurl.com/k8w1v2b
6 Signs You Need To Opt Out Of Your Email List : http://tinyurl.com/jhf27rv
Should I Respond To An Email?: http://bit.ly/2d9RkUp
How to Check the sender of an email message for fraud: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guides/how-check-sender
How to Avoid Phishing Scams: http://bit.ly/2vEMzAo
How To Protect Yourself From Online Dating Scams : http://bit.ly/2oZGP4j
5 Signs You're Being Tricked Into Giving Away Your Credit Card Info : http://bit.ly/2gdmwRA
3 Ways to Spot a Fake IRS Call : http://bit.ly/2uma509
Misleading Typos in E-mails and Texts: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2016/10/misleading-typos-e-mails-and-texts
How to Tell If You Are Being Scammed: http://bit.ly/2vE0IFI
Don't Be a Victim of a Fake Check Scheme: http://bit.ly/2v9p7gO
Keeping Your Email Safe: http://bit.ly/2wQfedW
How Your Social Media Accounts Could be Hacked: http://bit.ly/2tAuZfP
How to Protect Yourself from Wrongful Arrest (through Facebook): https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/public-statements/2013/05/how-protect-yourself-wrongful-arrest
How to Protect Yourself from Wrongful Arrest (through text messages): https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2010/02/how-protect-yourself-from-wrongful
How to Protect Yourself from Wrongful Arrest by Email: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2011/07/how-protect-yourselffrom
What To Do If Your Identity Is Stolen: http://bit.
Conclusion:
The burden of fraud is not just on the scammer, but also on the victim. The good news is that there are many simple things that you can do to protect yourself from scams. So before you click on an email, are tempted by a phone call or go to a website… check out this article for tips and advice on how to stay safe online from scammers.
You can also reach out to me (e-mail: [email protected]) if you have any questions or any ideas about how we can help keep you safe from scams.
Thank You!
Sincerely yours,
Dr.