20 Tips to Protect Yourself from Online Fraud

With the advent of better technologies and a huge advancement in the world of internet marketing, there had been a parallel increase in the incidences of internet frauds. Online frauds have increased many folds in the couple of years and have become a severe headache for the entire humanity. The trend of internet marketing has also hugely increased in the recent years but however there are pit falls to this type of shopping.

Almost every one of us is approached by a scammer at some stage or other. Some of the scams are pretty easy to spot while others may appear to be genuine offers or bargains. Scams can even take place without you doing anything at all. Most scams need you to do something before they can make the fool out of you. You may have been sending money to someone based on a promise that turns out to be false. You may give out your personal details to persons who turn out to be scammers. The most scams are performed in the form of Email Phishing Scams about which you can read below.

Here are some quick tips that will help you to protect you from the Internet frauds.

• If something is offered to you at an unbelievably low price or with a too good offer do not rush in; the offer may be a scam. Use your common sense and always get yourself an independent advice if it involves significant money.
• Remember that there can be no get-rich-quick schemes. It’s only a scam and do not fall into the trap. The only people who get rich in the process are the Scammers.
• If any auction site tells you that you can save money if you go to this new website……beware. If they lure you away from the original auction site, you are being set up. Websites are put up and taken down quickly. These scams get away with your money quickly and leave no forwarding address.
• NEVER send money or give credit card details or any of your online account details to anybody you do not know and trust. Keep a strict vigilance on your bank account or credit card statements. If you find a transaction that you cannot trace or explain immediately report the matter to you credit union or your bank. Banking Email Frauds are on the rise and they would send you a email saying that you need to reset your Bank Account logins for more security which should be avoided.
• Always read the terms and conditions before taking a hasty decisions. Many low-priced products come with hidden costs that may ultimately make you a loss.
• Only give out your personal details and information (especially on the internet) where it is absolutely necessary and where you have initiated the contact and you have a trust on the other party.
• Do not click on any links in a spam email, or open any files attached to them and make sure not to give a call to any telephone numbers that came with the spam mail.
• Talk to your internet service provider about spam filtering services or, alternatively, purchase spam-filtering software that is readily available in the market.
• If you want to access an internet account website, use a bookmarked link or type the address in yourself: try never to follow a link in an email.
• Beware of free websites and downloads such as music, adult sites, games and movies. They may install harmful programs even without your knowledge.
• Check the website address carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar addresses.
• Never enter your personal details, credit card numbers or online account information on a website that you are not certain is genuine.
• Do not use your Internet banking on public computers like cyber cafes and libraries.
• Do not use software on your computer that auto-completes online forms. This can easily let scammers have access to your personal information and account details.
• Avoid online escrow services that require you to set up accounts with online payment services. Escrow services are in the business of taking money and they are equipped to do so. Like if an online escrow service states that they comply with US Financial and Business Code, you know that it is all a false set up. There is no such code!
• The safest way to pay is by using your credit card. Most credit card companies provide charge-back protections. Don’t do business with sellers who say they accept credit cards but later tell you that you must use your credit card to do a wire transfer. Wire transfers of this nature have no protection. The spammers know this and are literally banking on the fact that you don’t!
• Always try to use a credit card with a low limit for you’re on line purchases. This can limit your losses and help you protect your money.
• Many con artists pay a shill to bid up the price of an item. They want you to pay the highest price possible. This is not so different than a live auction. People find themselves becoming competitive and they keep bidding. Before they know it, they’ve paid double the price they would have if they’d bought the item anywhere else. If you are the highest bidder many auction sites will require you to follow through or you will be barred from bidding on that site again.
• Always call or e-mail the seller before you bid on a auction site. Many times when you call the phone number it’s disconnected or the E-mail comes back undeliverable. Both should be warning signs to you that you are dealing with a spammer. Just picking up the phone and dialing the number to ask questions could save you thousands of dollars.
• Last but not the least; save everything! Print the seller’s identification number, the description of the item you’re purchasing, any e-mail correspondence that went back and forth between you, what you paid for the item and how you paid for it. Save everything concerning the transaction. You may need it if you are indeed a victim.

The above mentioned points can help you save your bucks from the hands of internet frauds. But if still you become a victim, immediately report it to the concerned authorities to help you out of risks.