One of the most common types of cyberattacks is performed through phishing scams. The fraudulent practice of attempting to get personal information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers by impersonating a trustworthy institution via an email or website. Many people fall victim to phishing scams each year, so it is essential to be able to identify them.
Several telltale signs can help you spot a phishing scam. Some of these include poor grammar and spelling, requesting sensitive information upfront, and including attachments.
However, you may minimize the chances of being a victim to such predators if you choose an internet provider that offers security features and services. For instance, if you subscribe to any Spectrum Deals, you get a security suite to give you an extra layer of protection.
Can I Identify Mobile Phishing?
- Yes, it is a quick response. If you get a questionable email, phone call, or text message, please disregard it and do not provide any vital information. The following are some key indicators of email phishing:
- Email addresses and domain names will be wrong. Most of the time, hackers use a familiar-looking URL to get you to click on it. However, you may hover your cursor over the website URL to verify before clicking.
- A phishing email asks you to promptly provide your personal information, such as your social security number or credit card information.
- As a general rule, an email with grammatical, spelling, or punctuation issues does not come from a trustworthy source.
- If an email involves threats or ultimatums, it is most certainly a phishing email.
- If an email requests funds or provides a bargain that appears too good to be true, it is most certainly a phishing email.
A scam is a cybercrime involving defrauding people of their money. According to the Federal Trade Commission, fraud will cost people over 3.3 billion dollars in 2020.
Phishing Scams Types:
The following are the most typical types of scams:
Scams involving competitions and lotteries — Scammers contact or email individuals to inform them that they have won a contest or lottery and that to get their prizes, they must pay taxes or processing fees. They may also demand shipping costs.
Tax or investment scams – Scammers may pose as tax authorities to access your financial information.
Scams involving romance and dating — cybercriminals build a phoney dating profile and then ask for money after entering virtual connections.
Scams using online accounts and credit cards — Scammers impersonate an online payment provider such as Venmo or the victim’s bank and ask for personal information. If you have any doubts, you should contact your bank immediately using the phone number on their official website.
Scams involving COVID-19 — this is a new sort of scam. Scammers have been sending out emails claiming to be selling corona insurance. In an attempt to obtain your personal information, some cyber thieves pose as members of a health facility and offer immunization.
How to Recognize Scams?
- If you receive an unanticipated email, call, or SMS asking you to send over some details urgently, it probably is a scam.
- If an unknown contact asks for money or personal info, you should trust your gut and ignore it. However, you should verify by visiting the website or phone number provided if the source appears trustworthy.
- If you receive a call or a text message claiming that you have won a random competition that you did not enter, it is most likely a fraud.
FRAUD
Scams and fraud are frequently used interchangeably. Still, frauds are deceptions that don’t always result in financial loss. In 2020, about 2.2 million fraud events were recorded in the United States, with 34 of these crimes performing in financial loss.
Some common types of fraud are:
Online fraud – any fraud that occurs online. This includes malware, data breaches, phishing, and other scams.
Banking fraud, also known as advance fee fraud, happens when someone is solicited to pay money before a contract is signed.
Beauty products and weight loss scams — one of the most popular types of fraud involve anti-ageing or quick weight loss techniques and products. Most of these items are made with dangerous substances and backed up by bogus research and testimonials.
Mail fraud – It is a type of fraud that occurs through the use of postal mail. It’s possible that you’ll receive forged mail or that your mail will be stolen.
Senior scam — because the elderly are disconnected from modern technology, they are easy to target.
Conclusion
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. They often mimic official emails from organizations like banks and credit card companies. The scammer’s objective is to convince you to click on a link or open an attachment that will install malware or steal your personal information. But, you do not have to worry about falling for such scams anymore if you have read all the above factors to identify such scams.
