Online fraud is a growing problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
From phishing scams and fake investment schemes to romance scams and identity theft, the tactics used by cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated every day.
It can be really scary and frustrating to feel like youâre constantly at risk of being targeted. Awareness of the common types of online fraud and learning some simple security best practices can reduce your risk and have more peace of mind when browsing the web and making purchases.
Whatâs the worst online fraud experience youâve had (or know someone whoâs had)? What are some red flags you look for to spot a potential scam? How do you protect your personal and financial information online?
Luckily I have never experienced online fraud, however, not a long time ago I heard about a story of a girl in Paris who was scammed for 5,000$. It started when she got a message with the link about the fact that her health card was expiring, which was true she clicked on the link filled in all of her information ( address, card information, name, and phone number) and then her âBankâ called her saying that a message was a scam. She believed them and the whole time she was thinking that she was talking to her bank she was talking with scammers, long story short they got all of her bank information and stole 5,000$ from her. By the time she realized something was wrong, she had already given them enough information and access to her bank. It is heartbreaking, and it just shows how sophisticated these scammers have become.
As for spotting scams, I think the biggest red flag is when something feels too urgent, for instance, theyâre rushing you to make a decision. Additionally, Iâm extremely cautious about clicking links and always double-check the senderâs address. I have also started using two-factor authentication and monitoring my bank account regularly.