Every day, thousands of scam websites are created to lure people in and steal their information. In addition, scammers use popups and emails, which usually demand immediate action from the recipient. Some internet scams have become so sophisticated that it can be hard to discern the real from the fake.
As a general rule, it’s important to remain skeptical of any unfamiliar website or email demanding your personal information. In addition, here are some tips to help you figure out how to avoid internet scams and sharpen your knowledge of what they look like.
Check the Spelling and Grammar
A key indicator of an internet scam is if there are any spelling or grammatical errors. Always double-check web and email addresses for correct spelling of businesses and review the body copy of emails and web pages.
Avoid Deals that are too Good to be True
Chances are if it sounds like the deal of a lifetime, it’s not. Ensure to verify the URL and, when possible, read customer reviews and critique photos. If the reviews are largely negative, or if you find something odd about the product photo, it’s likely a scam.
Know Your Service Providers
Scammers likely don’t know the specifics about the services you use on a day-to-day basis. Ensure that you are aware of the banking, internet, and phone providers you use and know the preferred way they would normally get in contact with you.
Use Unique Passwords
It can be hard to remember all the passwords for your accounts. It might be easy to use a phrase or otherwise that you can remember, but be careful to not make it something that’s also easier for scammers to guess. Avoid using birth dates, family member names, and other easily obtainable details. Store passwords in a safe place and ensure they are hard to guess by using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
Protect Yourself with Software
Installing antivirus software and adding extensions to your browser to block certain content can also be a helpful step in protecting your computer and yourself from scammers. Acting like a net, it can filter through files and emails for malware, deleting anything potentially dangerous. In your browser, it can block popups, and prevent hackers from accessing your data, or tracking your whereabouts online. Make sure this software is up and running when you are clicking links and downloading content, and allot time once a week for a deep system scan of your computer.
At the Smith Investigation Agency, we are experienced with scammers of all kinds, which is why we offer cyber investigation services as part of our practice. We recognize that this service is not one-size-fits-all, which is why we have tailored approaches to help with your situation and deliver results to best help you make an informed decision or take legal action.
Suspicious that you have been the victim of a cyber scammer? Contact us to connect with one of our private investigators!
About the Author
Whitney Joy Smith
Founder of The Smith Investigation Agency in 2014, Whitney Joy Smith’s extensive background as a private investigator is matched only by her passion for the role. A graduate of several respected institutions, including Northwest Florida State College and George Brown College, her early years in life were spent between Canada and the United States. This education, along with her formative years as a private investigator in various agencies, informed much of her knowledge of private investigative laws, regulations, and operating standards in both countries.
The recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Consumers Choice Award, Best in Ottawa, and many others, Whitney takes pride in working closely with her ever-growing agency to raise the bar, maintain compliance, and meet the investigative needs of clients. Whitney is active in various membership and supporting roles, including the CPIRC, CBN, CAPI, Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Her experience-driven, thought-provoking articles have been featured in everything from Readers Digest to Business News Daily, and she strives to continually redefine standards for those in the private investigative and security fields. Learn more about Whitney and the team at The Smith Investigation Agency today.
