Beware of Online scams, The

1. ONLINE SCAMS

2. OVERVIEW – 2023 SCAMS
 Phishing scams
 Ransomware
 Scareware
 Travel scams
 Fake shopping websites
 Grandparent scams
 Romance scams
 Hitman scams
 Lottery scams
 Tech support scams
 Disaster relief scams
 COVID-19 scams
 The Nigerian letter scams
 Money transfer scams
 Pre-approved notice scams
 Cryptocurrency scams
 Social media scams
 Social media impersonation
 Mobile scams
 Job offer scams

3. 1. PHISHING SCAM
 The cybercriminal sends you an email appearing to be from a
legitimate source, such as a bank, social networking site, or online
store.
 You get tricked into clicking on a malicious download or a scammer
website link.
 The cybercriminal installs malware and/or uses your stolen credentials
to steal your sensitive data.

4. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Urgent tones
 Misspellings and poor grammar
 Demands with threats of financial consequences
 Logos that don’t quite look right
 Online scam prevention tip: Go directly to the company’s official
website If you’re unsure whether an email is legitimate or not.

5. 2. RANSOMWARE
 A cybercriminal may infect your computer with malware called
ransomware, if, for example, they are successful with phishing scams.
Once installed, the cyberthief could encrypt your files and demand a
ransom payment, typically in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.

6. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Online scam warning signs: Attachments and/or files included in
suspicious emails.
 Online scam prevention tip: Always backup your data and download
antivirus software to alert you of potential infections.

7. 3. SCAREWARE
 Scareware can come in a couple forms, but possibly the most common
of this internet scam is fake antivirus software. How it works: A pop-up
alerts you of a virus that infected your device. It then offers to fix the
infection with “free antivirus” software. This software is indeed fake and
used to install malware that can steal your sensitive information.

8. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 The software immediately scans your computer for viruses.
 The pop-up is hard to close.
 The pop-up wants you to act quickly.
 You’ve never heard of the software company.
 Online scam prevention tip: Don’t click on unexpected malware
notification

9. 4. TRAVEL SCAMS
 The internet scammer sends an email pretending to be a travel
insurance agent.
 Their well-designed but fake email convinces you to purchase travel
insurance for a trip you recently booked.

10. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Travel agents offering 100% insurance coverage, no matter what kind of
event
 Social media posts directing you to unsecure sites
 They can only accept payment via wire transfer
 Online scam prevention tip: Only purchase travel insurance from
reputable agencies.

11. 5. FAKE SHOPPING WEBSITES
 Cyberthieves may also create and publish fake shopping websites that
either look genuine or replicate existing retailer websites. They typically
feature deals that are too good to be true, finding popular brands of
clothing and expensive electronics at extra-low prices. Hackers use
these deals to trick you into buying their fake goods and record your
banking information at the time of purchase to use for themselves.

12. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 A redirect bringing you to a page with “http://” in the URL
 Prices that are too good to be true
 Online scam prevention tip: Download trusted antivirus software to
alert you of potentially unsecure website

13. 6. GRANDPARENT SCAMS
 Elderly people are more vulnerable when it comes to the internet. And
online scammers know this all too well, using their caring and loving
nature against them in grandparent scams.
 This internet scam works by seeding an urgent message or email to a
grandparent pretending to be a grandchild in need of financial help.
They may say they're abroad and need money for a last-minute train
ticket or help to pay an unexpected hospital bil

14. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 A text message or email from an unsaved number
 A request for an unreasonable amount of money from a loved one
 Online scam prevention tip: Avoid acting immediately and do your
best to verify your grandchild's identity, asking specific questions only
they would know.

15. 7. ROMANCE SCAMS
 The fraudster usually targets their victim on an online dating site, and
they begin an online relationship.
 The cybercriminal gains the victim’s trust but always comes up with
reasons why they can’t meet up in person.
 The cyberthief asks for money or details about the victim’s financial life

16. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Their profile seems too good to be true
 They live out of state
 The relationship moves fast
 They ask for money and/or personal information
 Online scam prevention tip: If you start an online relationship with
someone, protect yourself by asking a lot of questions, taking it slowly,
and never giving out personal information.

17. 8. HITMAN SCAMS
 In another type of internet scam, a cybercriminal may send you a
message threatening to embarrass or injure you or a family member
unless you pay a ransom. These are known as hitman scams.
 The scammer may have gathered details about your life from social
media profiles, which could make the claim seem more legitimate or
urgent.

18. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Online scam warning signs:
 You receive a message from someone claiming they'll inflict harm on
you
 The cybercriminal says they will spare you if you pay a certain amount
of money
 Online scam prevention tip: Never reply to spam texts from
unknown numbers or emails from unknown addresses.

19. 9. LOTTERY SCAMS
 The lottery scam could be considered a subcategory of phishing scams.
How it works: An email may claim you’ve won a large chunk of cash, a
free trip to an exotic destination, or some other fantastic prize.
 The message will say that to claim your trip or winnings you only need
to pay a few small fees.
After you pay those fees, you never hear from the organization again.

20. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 You win a prize for something you didn’t enter
 Prizes that seem too good to be true
 You’re required to make a payment to accept your prize
 Online scam prevention tip: Never click on unexpected pop-ups or
links from too-good-to-be-true emails.

21. 10. TECH SUPPORT SCAMS
 Fraudsters use urgent pop-up messages or fake online ads to promote
illegitimate software services and carry out tech support scams. These
internet scams may say you have a serious problem with your computer
and offer tech support services you don’t need to resolve the issues
(because the problem doesn’t exist). Once they have you hooked, they
could try to install malware onto your devices with the fake software
they’re offering.

22. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Unexpected pop-up messages
 The “tech support” asks for payment via money transfer
 Online scam prevention tip: Download trusted antivirus software from
a reputable company to protect your devices.

23. 11. DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS
 When misfortune strikes — such as a natural disaster — you’d expect
others to be nothing but sympathetic. However, there are hackers who
find opportunities in dark times and carry out disaster relief scams to
try and put some extra money in their pockets.

24. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 A government agency or charity email not matching that of their official
website
 Websites with little or no contact information
 Online scam prevention tip: Never respond to emails with suspicious
sender addresses.

25. 12. COVID-19 ONLINE SCAMS
 Health organization impersonation
 Websites selling fake personal protective equipment
 Fake government updates and payments
 Fake donation requests: Online scammers attempt to get you to
donate to a charity they claim aids those most affected by the
pandemic.

26. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 A government agency or charity email not matching that of their official
website
 Websites with little or no contact information
 Money requests via wire transfer
 Online scam prevention tip: Contact your state or local governments
regarding information about COVID-19 or the pandemic to prevent
them in the future.

27. 13. THE NIGERIAN LETTER SCAM
 The Nigerian letter scam, also known as 419 fraud or the advance fee
scam, is one of the longest-running online scams. How it works: You
receive an emotional message from someone claiming to be an official
government employee, businessman, or member of an abundantly
wealthy foreign family, asking you to help them retrieve a large sum of
money from an overseas bank.

28. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 A letter or email from a foreign country claiming a connection to you
 A request for personal or banking information
 Online scam prevention tip: Never respond to suspicious emails or
text messages, especially from unknown senders.

29. 14. MONEY TRANSFER SCAMS
 Money transfer, or fake check, scams catch people off guard during a
time of excitement. It can occur when someone thinks they’ve
successfully sold one of their possessions online. The purchaser may
send more money than originally agreed upon via cashier’s check,
personal check, or wire transfer.

30. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 The purchaser requests money via wire transfer
 Offers that require you to pay to receive your earnings
 Online scam prevention tip: Only send money to verified accounts on
encrypted payment services.

31. 15. PRE-APPROVED NOTICE SCAMS
 Pre-approved notice scams send you a phishing email notification
about a new credit card or personal loan that a bank pre-approved you
for. People in need of quick cash often fall for this online scam because
of the immediate approval and attractive credit limits. Once they have
you convinced, they may ask for an upfront payment to complete your
application, which doesn’t actually exist.

32. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Upfront payments to submit your application
 Money requests via wire transfer, cash, and/or gift cards
 Online scam prevention tip: Visit your bank’s official website to
explore or verify credit card or personal loan options.

33. 16. CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAMS
 Cryptocurrency scams come in many forms, such as fake giveaways,
impersonations, and blackmail. However, they all have the ultimate goal
of getting ahold of personal information needed to access your digital
wallet and steal any funds stored in your account.

34. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Cryptocurrency investments with “guaranteed” high returns
 Unlicensed or unregistered cryptocurrency sellers
 Online scam prevention tip: Research cryptocurrency exchanges
before investing and never respond to urgent requests for payments.

35. 17. SOCIAL MEDIA SCAMS
 Social media scams accounted for nearly $770 million in stolen funds
last year, which placed them comfortably on today’s list of. They work
by displaying a variety of posts, such as aspirational vacation spots and
discounted luxury products, on your newsfeeds — all with the goal of
getting you to click on a link that could potentially be hosting
malware.

36. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Posts offering extremely low prices on popular goods
 Posts with links directing you to a new page and telling you to claim a
prize
 Online scam prevention tip: Always verify company information
before making a purchase with an online seller.

37. 18. SOCIAL MEDIA IMPERSONATION
 A cybercriminal copies the name, profile picture, and basic information
from someone’s real account to create a copycat account.
 They send friend requests to the original account’s friend list in an
attempt to access their personal information, including emails,
addresses, birth dates, and more.
 They use the stolen information for personal gain.

38. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 Already friended profiles asking why you’re requesting to follow them
again
 Online scam prevention tip: Put restrictions on who has permission to
see your profile information.

39. 19. MOBILE SCAMS
 Affecting almost 60 million people in 2021, mobile scams can come in
many forms, but the most common are phishing apps. Cybercriminals
create fake apps designed to look like the real thing, just like phishing
emails. It is exactly the same premise; however, instead of using emails,
the hacker delivers malware through a fake app.

40. ONLINE SCAM WARNING SIGNS:
 An app is difficult to close
 An app disappears and reappears on your home screen
 Apps containing ads that redirect you to suspicious sites
 Online scam prevention tip: Only download reputable apps from your
app store

41.  Source : Online scams: An overview + 20 internet scams to avoid in
2023, Written by Clare Stouffer, September 16, 2022. Retrieved at,
https://us.norton.com/blog/emerging-threats/internet-scams#
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