The Internet Fraud Scam
Internet Fraud Scams at work
The internet is a haven for fraud scams and predators. A scammer can target you through fraud websites, fraudulent emails or even through the files you download to your computer. Though the internet is full of predators, you shouldn’t allow these internet fraud scams to inhibit your use of it. By following through with a few precautionary measures, you can learn how to protect yourself from fraud scams. Below are two of the most common methods scammers use to target victims and how to protect yourself from harm.
Fraud Scams through Emails
One of the most common methods scammers use to target internet users is email fraud scams. Email fraud scams are sent with the sole intention of taking your hard earned cash or gaining access to your personal computer files. The subjects of these fraud scams can range from a foreigner in distress to a business proposition. As a rule of thumb, if the email sounds ludicrous or like a story your 5-year old niece would conjure up, it’s most likely a fraudulent email.
The best way to handle these email fraud scams is to simply delete the email. No action is the best action to take when it comes to fraud scams through email. Do not click internal links within the email or reply to the sender. You never know what kind of tricks the scammer has up his sleeves if you do respond to the email. If you feel obligated to take some form of action, report the fraud scams you have received by email to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Fraud Websites
Another sneaky way scammers target their victims is through fraud websites. Examples of fraud websites are credit card application websites, fake bank login web pages and contest websites. Fraud websites will typically attempt to closely portray a well respected industry name. For example, a fraud website which focuses on credit card applications will have a realistic application and information about a well-known credit card company, such as Visa or Master Card. If you’re ever asked to input sensitive information into a webpage, make sure that the URL begins with ”https://” and displays a padlock in the search bar or at the end of the page. These signs indicate that you’re accessing a secure form and aren’t giving your information to fraud websites.
