Technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace it’s no surprise that fraudsters and scammers have also found new ways to deceive people. From phishing scams to complex financial frauds, the tactics used by these criminals are becoming more sophisticated each year. As we move into 2023, it’s esssential to stay informed about the most popular frauds and scams and how to protect ourselves from them. In this article, we will highlight the top frauds and scams to be aware of in the coming year.
Beware of These Common OfferUp Scams in 2023
OfferUp is one such platform that has become incredibly popular in recent years. However, as with any online marketplace, there are also scams and frauds to be aware of Why is cyber security important?
In 2023, here are some common scams to watch out for on OfferUp:
- Overpayment Scams: Be cautious of any buyer who offers to pay more than the asking price and asks for a refund of the over paid amount.
- Fake Item Scams: Be wary of listings that seem too good to be true or that ofer items that are normally expensive for an unreasonably low price.
- Phishing Scams: Be cautious of any emails or messages asking for personal information or directing you to a different website.
- Shipping Scams: Be cautious of any buyer who requests to have the item shipped before payment has been receivd
- Payment Scams: Be cautious of any buyer who requests to pay with a check or money order and then cancels the transaction after the item has been shipped.
To avoid these scams and have a safe and succesful transaction on OfferUp, always be cautious of any deals that seem too good to be true, never send or receive money through unofficial channels, and always trust your gut. If something seems off, it probably is!
Tech Support Scams: Don’t Let the Scammers Take Control
Tech support scams are becoming a major problem these days, and it’s important that we’re all informed and prepared to avoid falling victim to these sneaky tricks. These scammers are getting more and more sophisticated, so it’s crucial that we know what to look out for.
Here are some simple tips to keep in mind:
- If you get a random call from someone claiming to be from tech support, hang up ! Legitimate tech support will never call you out of the blue.
- Don’t ever give out your personal or financial information to someone claiming to be from tech support. It’s just not worth the risk.
- If you’re ever in doubt, hang up and reach out to the company direectly using a number you trust. You can usually find this information on their official website.
- Stay away from tech support scams that offer to fix your computer ,or device for a fee. Most problems can be fixed for free with a quick internet search or by contacting the manufacturer directly.
- Make sure your software and antivirus programs are always up to date. This will help keep your devices secure and reduce the risk of potential threats.
If someone claims that your device has been hacked or infected with malware, don’t panic. These scammers use scare tactics to pressure you into paying for their services or giving them acess to your device.
Charitable Donations Scams: How to Give Safely and Responsibly
Charitable giving is a wonderful way to make a positive impact on the world, but unfortunately, there are also people out there who use this generosity for their own gain. Charitable donation scams are becoming more and more comon, and it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your money.
Here are some tips to ensure that your charitable donations are going to a legitimate cause:
- Do your research: Before making a donation, research the organization and make sure it is legitimate. Look for information about the organization’s mission, history, and financial records.
- Be cautious of unsolicited requests: Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails or mail requessting donations. Legitimate charities will not reach out to you unsolicited.
- Don’t give personal or financial information: Never provide personal or financial information, such as social security numbers, bank account information, or credit card numbers, to anyone claiming to be from a charity.
- Give directly: The safest way to donate is to give directly to the charity through its official website or by mail. Avoid giving through third-party websites or individuals who claim to be colecting donations on behalf of the charity.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, to make sure the charity is reputable and trustworthy.
- Be wary of high-presure tactics: Legitimate charities will never pressure you into making a donatioon on the spot Take your time to research the organization and make a decision when you feel comfortable.
Nigerian prince scam
The “Nigerian Prince scam” is a type of advanced fee scam that originated in Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s. The scam typically involves an email or letter claiming to be from a wealthy Nigerian prince or other high ranking official who needs help transfering a large sum of money out of the country. In exchange for helping, the recipient is promised a large cut of the money. To receive their share, the recipient is typically asked to pay various fees and provide personal and financial information, which the scammer uses for fraudulent purposses. The scam is widely recognized as a fraud and is not a legitimate way to obtain money.
Whatsapp scams
WhatsApp scams are fraudulent schemes that use the popular messaging app to trick people into giving away personal information or money. Some common types of WhatsApp scams include phisshing scams that ask for sensitive information such as login credentials fake job offers that ask for upfront payment, fake tech support scams that trick people into downloading malware, fake lottery or prize scams that ask for payment to claim a non-existent reward, and chain letter scams that ask people to forward a message to a certain number of contacts. To avoid faling for these scams, it’s important to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages, to not click on links from unknown sources, and to verify the authenticity of any offers or requests before providing personal information or making a payment.
Publishers clearing house scams
Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scams are fraudulent schemes that use the name of the legitimate company, Publishers Clearing House, to trick people into giving away personal information or money. These scams typically involve unsolicited phone cals, emails, or letters claiming that the recipient has won a large sum of money or a valauble prize from Publishers Clearing House. The scammer then asks the recipient to pay a fee or provide personal information in order to claim the prize, or they may ask the recipient to provide their bank account information in order to receive the winnings. However, Publishers Clearing House does not require payment or personal information in order to claim a prize and any request for payment or personal information should be treated as a red flag for a scam. To avoid falling for a Publishers Clearing House scam, it s important to be cautious when receiving unsolicited communications and to always verify the authenticity of the offer before providing any personal information or making a payment.
Primerica pyramid scheme
Primerica is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that offers financial services and products. While MLMs can often have characteristics that are similar to pyramid schemes, Primerica is a legitimate company that operates within the bounds of the law However, like with any M L M, the majority of participants in Primerica’s bussiness model do not earn significant income, and the primary way to earn money is through recruitment of new members into the organization. This compensation structure can result in a situation where a small number of participants at the top of the organization earn a disproportionate amount of money compared to those lower down. Additionaly, MLMs often require participants to purchase large amounts of inventory and to attend expensive training events, which can lead to significant financial losses for those who are not successful in the business. If you are considering joining Primerica or any MLM, it’s important to thoroughly research the company, understand the compensation structure, and carefully weigh the potential risks and rewards before making a decision.
Whaling phishing
Whaling is a type of phishing scam that targets high-level executives, such as CEOs, CFOs, and presidents, in an attempt to gain access to sensitive corporate information or to steal money. Whaling scams often take the form of fake emails or websites that appear to come from a trusted source, such as a government agency or a business partner, and request sensitive informaton or a payment. These scams are more sophisticated and tailored than typical phishing scams and may include personal information about the target, such as their job title and company, in order to increase their credibility. To protect against whaling scams, it’s important for businesses to educate employes especially executives, on how to recognize and avoid phishing scams and to have strong security measures in place, such as multi-factor authentication, to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Romance scams
Romance scams are a type of online fraud where scammers create fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms and pretend to be looking for love. They build a relationship with their target over time and then ask for money, often for emergencies or unexpected expenses. In some cases, scamers may also use photos of atractive people and create elaborate fake backgrounds to make themsleves appear trustworthy. The victims may be left heartbroken and financially devastated. To protect against romance scams, it’s important to be cautious when meeting someone online, to never send money to someone you have not met in perso to be wary of anyone who asks for personal information too soon, and to research the person’s background using a search engine and social media. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Text message scams
Text message scams, also known as SMS scams, are fraudulent schemes that use text messages to trick people into giving away personal information or money. Some common types of text message scams include phishing scams that ask for sensitiive information such as login credentials, fake lottery or prize scams that ask for payment to claim a non-existent reward, fake tech support scams that trick people into downloading malware, and fake job offers that ask for upfront payment. To avoid falling for text message scams it’s important to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages, to not click on links from unknown sources, and to verify the authenticiity of any offers or requests before providing personal information or making a payment. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of the sender’s phone number and to be cautious of any message that appears to come from an unfamiliar or unexpected source.
Instagram scams
Instagram scams are a big problem these days. People often use the platform to scam others out of their personal information, or money. Some of the most common scams on Instagram include fake giveaways or contests that ask for payment or personal information to enter, phishing scams that ask for sensitive information such as login credentials, fake tech support scams that trick people into downloding malware, and fake job offers that ask for upfront payment.
To avoid falling for these scams, it s crucial to be cautious when clicking on links from unknown sources, to never give away personal information or make payments to unsolicited accounts, and to verify the authenticity of any offers or requests before providing personal information or making a payment. Also, be mindful of the acount’s name, profile picture, and number of followers, and be wary of any account that appears to have a low number of followers or a suspicious-looking profile picture.
In short, always use your common sense and stay vigilant when using social media. Don’t let these scammers ruin your online experience!
Brushing scam
Brushing scams are fraudulent schemes that use fake online orders to boost the seller’s reputation. In these scams, the seller or a third party places an order forr a product using a fake name and address, and then sends the product to the real addres. The seller then receives a positive review for the sale, even though the product was not actually purchased by the customer These fake reviews can artificially inflate the seller’s reputation and make it appear that they have a higher level of customer satisfaction, which can attract more customers and increase sales. Many more scam examples.
To protect against brushing scams, it’s important for sellers to monitor their sales and customer reviews and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant marketplace or platform. Consumers can also protect themselves by being cautious of products with a large number of positive reviews that seem too good to be true, and by reading multiple reviws from a variety of sources to get a more accurate picture of the product and the seller’s reputation. Additionally, consumers can use tools such as reverse image search to check if product photos are being used elsewhere online and to determine the legitimacy of the product and the seller.