The following are the types of Online Scams:
- Nigerian 419 Scams (Advance Fee Scams)
The Nigerian 419 is a type of scam wherein the scam artist makes the victim believe that he/she is guaranteed to acquire remuneration after fulfilling the scam artist’s request. A person (the victim) will be asked for upfront money or products and promise to give him/her the payment or money later.
For example, the victim is promised big amount of money if he/she will help someone (the scammer) transfer money out of their country by paying the costs or giving them your bank account information. Also, other scam artists defraud people who are trying to buy or sell products over the internet.
Because the internet has now become immense of possibilities, scammers are also making their perfect move to finding their next victim unanimously. Scam artists are present on various auction and shopping sites, as sellers, all over the internet. They persuade their prospective buyers to purchase certain product at the lowest price in order to get your credit card and/or bank account information or may simply take your money and hear nothing from them.
- Bad Check, Fake Money Orders, Wire Transfer Scams
These are the types of scams in which scam artists make use of bad checks, fake money orders, and wire transfer to deceive people. Scammers are very good in convincing their innocent victim. So, if someone asks you to pay by check, or if you are asked to accept and transfer money to another person through wire transfer, or if money orders came from risky areas—be careful!
There may be legitimate “free” offers that are offered by reputable companies, however, many scam artists are taking advantage of this opportunity and use it to lure their potential victim. If the “free” offers involve personal, bank account or credit card information, or need a small amount to claim the said “free” offers—beware!
- Phishing and Page jacking
Phishing happens when a particular email, which appears to come from an official website, is delivered to different users to mislead them in order to obtain their personal information i.e. passwords, credit card numbers, etc. It generally provides a link in which users can be redirected to a counterfeit website. Page jacking then occurs if the users click on the said link and opened the fake site.
- Spam or Junk Mail Offers
Spam means unwanted or junk electronic mails. Spam e-mails might offer different kinds of advertisements that include low-priced or free products, lottery or other kinds of winnings, opportunities that guarantee riches, scams, etc. Spam messages also contain malicious software or viruses that can harm your computer; opening or replying to a spam message could lead to further spam messages, or could steal your personal information including credit card numbers, or could let you pay for nothing.
- Spyware and Key-loggers (Viruses, Trojans, And Hackers)
Spyware is a type of program that can be installed by scammers on your computer. It enables scam artists to “spy” on your computer habits: the websites you visit, the files you use as well as all the information or personal details stored on your PC including various passwords. Key loggers, which generally record the keys pressed on your keyboard, will then deliver the recorded data to the scam artists online.
- Modem Jacking
Modem jacking is the process of changing the dial-up number, which is used in accessing the internet, through a certain program. It takes place when a particular program is downloaded on your computer, which is responsible for replacing the usual ISP to the new one, with or without your consent i.e. through a virus or a concealed program (which permits access to definite websites). If such instance occurs, you may end up wasting your money.
- Identity Theft and Online Intellectual Property Theft
Identity theft refers to the stealing of personal information such as names, addresses, birth dates, and account or card numbers, etc. on purpose. The stolen information can then be used especially by scam artists to defraud innocent victims.
On the other hand, online intellectual property theft refers to the stealing, copying or using copyright materials without the permission of the owner by means of the internet.
- Craigslist and other Online Classified Scams
Scams are simply all over the internet, so it pays to give more attention to various postings on different classified ads online. Craigslist and other online classified scams entail asking for personal information or offering unusual or other modes of payment. If it goes beyond the site’s rules—think twice!
- Job and Employment Scams
Internet is of great help especially if you’re searching for part-time or full-time jobs and a stable career or opportunities. However, scammers are taking advantage of the searchers needs and making their traps to rip off unsuspecting victims. Work-at-Home scams and other business opportunities offer various kinds of jobs that promise a lot of money with less effort or asking you to pay an upfront payment prior to proceeding to the said job or business.
- Online Dating Site Scams
Some online dating often ends in scam. Scammers take advantage of the people who simply want to find their partner online. They try to gain their innocent victim’s trust by sending them with lots of sweet & loving messages and eventually lure them for their money.
- Social Networking Scams
Social networking scams involve fake identity, phony business opportunities, bogus buyers or sellers, etc. Social networking sites are undeniably very helpful in terms of connecting to your loved ones especially when they are far away from you. Nevertheless, as many people around the world are making use of the said sites, many scammers are also making their own way of using the sites—be cautious!
