Knowing if you're getting scammed online is currently a must since many hackers and other online attackers are now focusing on the internet. 

How To Tell If You're Getting Scammed Online? Signs To Check and Security Tips To Follow
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Johana, the wife of the photographer, works on her laptop computer in their bed during her isolation for a Covid-19 infection on the 2nd day of his 14-day quarantine at home during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic on October 29, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. The photographer went into mandated quarantine following the positive Covid-19 infection of his wife.

The cases of cybercrimes have increased ever since the global pandemic began. Security experts explained that the reason behind the rising online scams and other malicious campaigns is the increasing online transactions made by consumers. 

Right now, people across the globe prefer purchasing essential products from companies online. Instead of going out to the actual stores, all they need to do is wait for the arrival of their packages. 

But, online scammers are taking advantage of this situation. Now, how can you know if you are being scammed online?

How To Tell If You're Getting Scammed Online? 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Information's official website provided the signs you need to check to know if you are being scammed online. 
These include the following: 

How To Tell If You're Getting Scammed Online? Signs To Check and Security Tips To Follow
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Rows of laptop computers are set up for Flashmob 1, the first flashmob supercomputer April 3, 2004 at the University of San Francisco in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of computer enthusiasts connected hundreds of computers via high-speed LAN to work together as a single supercomputer in hopes to place in the top 500 fastest supercomputers on earth.

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  • Scammers will always say that there is an issue with your online accounts or there is a great deal that your account is eligible to. But, the most common thing that scammers do is to offer sudden lottery winnings that people are not familiar with. 
  • Online scammers usually provide the paying process you need to follow. Remember, government agencies will not require you to have a specific payment method since there are different ways how you can settle your bill. 
  • Scammers commonly insist that they are from government organizations. If you asked them to provide the official contact number of their department, but refuse to give it to you, then there's a high chance there are fraudsters.  

How To Avoid Getting Scammed Online? 

According to HP's report, there are various methods you can rely on to avoid getting scammed online. Here are some of them: 

  • Avoid clicking links from unknown email or text messages. 
  • Never access your account through the link provided by the unknown contact. 
  • If an email message provides an unknown number, avoid calling it right away. 
  • Always use two-factor authentication to secure your online accounts. 
  • Check if the message provided by the unknown contact has misspelled words or incorrect grammar. 
  • Avoid using your actual bank account. Instead, try using debit or credit cards since both of them have built-in protections instead of suspicious transactions. 

In other news, an FBI crypto scam warning was recently announced. Meanwhile, crypto scammers recently used Google Ads to steal money from Metamask and Phantom digital wallets. 

For more news updates about online scams and other security threats, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

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Written by: Griffin Davis

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