Scamming the Scammers… (Online safety)
Scammers prey on everyone of all ages, socioeconomic origins, and income levels. No particular demographic is more susceptible to scams than another; every one of us could fall victim to one at some point.
Scams are successful because they mimic the actual thing and surprise you when you least expect it. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and they are using new products, services, and significant events to their advantage in order to fabricate services that will persuade you to part with your cash or personal information.
Below sakah lists seven ways, you can protect yourself from falling for a scam online.
Always have in mind that there are scams out there. Scams appear in various forms so while interacting with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it’s over the phone, via mail, email, in person, or on a social networking site. Keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Update the software on your desktops and mobile devices. The best protection against viruses, malware, and other online risks is to use the most recent versions of your operating system, web browser, and security software. Activate automatic updates to get the most recent fixes as soon as they are released.
Create secure passwords that are challenging for others to guess, and update them frequently. A strong password consists of a minimum of eight characters, a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters. Never share your passwords with anybody and avoid using the same password for many accounts or profiles.
Be wary of phishing scams. Phishing is a type of fraud in which a perpetrator uses email or other forms of contact to pose as a reliable organization or individual. Phishing scams deceive users into divulging confidential account or login information by using fraudulent emails and websites. Never open any attachments or pop-up windows from sites you are unfamiliar with, click any links or strange texts; instead, delete them: If in doubt, confirm the contact’s identification using a dependable resource, such as a phone book or web search. Use the contact information that was not supplied to you in the message.
Review the privacy policies of the website. Despite being lengthy and sometimes complicated, privacy rules explain how the website safeguards the personal data it gathers. If you can’t read or comprehend a website’s privacy statement, consider using another website.
Keep your private information private. Social media profiles can be used by hackers to discover your passwords. Don’t share information like your mother’s maiden name, birthday, or address online. Instead, secure your privacy settings.
Be aware of who you are dealing with. Do a little more investigation if you’ve only ever met someone online or if you have any doubts about the reliability of a company. Look up anyone who may have dealt with them online by performing a Google image search on the people’s pictures. Contact your acquaintance directly to confirm that it was indeed them who sent the message or email if it appears strange or out of character for them.
Learn more tips on how to protect yourself against financial fraud from THE CENTRAL BANK OF KENYA fraud safety article.
