In the vast landscape of the internet, deception often lurks behind enticing offers and too-good-to-be-true deals. Scams have evolved into sophisticated forms, but so has our ability to recognize and thwart them. Read on to find out how to recognise the signs, and avoid getting scammed. Signs Of A Scam - How To Spot A Scam? 1) Scammers say there’s a problem or gives tempting offers Scammers might say you are in trouble with the government, money is owed, there’s a problem with your account (be it social media, email or banking accounts), a computer virus has been detected or someone in your family had an emergency. Or alternatively, they give you tempting offers - e.g. deals that are price way below market rates. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! This sign tends to appear in scams such as loan scams, e-commerce scams. Investment scams, job scams, and money laundering scams. 2) They contact you unexpectedly One of the easiest ways to spot a scammer is that they will tend to contact you first. If you receive any unexpected emails, messages or phone calls from someone you don’t know, it is best to verify they are who they said they are by contacting their business or agency directly. If you are not 100% convinced by the identity of the caller, hang up and contact the company directly. 3) They pressure you to act immediately Pressure can take all sorts of forms, the most common ones are asking you to act immediately before it’s too late (as you might get arrested, sued etc.), deals presented as limited time only or an urgent flash deal. Basically pressuring you into acting fast before you miss out. Scams use a sense of urgency to pressure you into either divulging your personal information or making fund transfers. They want you to react emotionally, instead of rationally. Instead of acting immediately, pause and think. Maybe even do a little bit of research. There is no need to act or decide immediately, as the only thing you might be missing out is being scammed. 4) They request for personal information Scammers are able to disguise themselves and create believable personas that will trick you into giving over sensitive personal and financial information, such as your PIN, OTP, account name and password. Scammers can disguise themselves as a government official or from a legitimate business, and there are scammers who impersonate your friends and family by taking over their accounts. 5) They tell you to pay in an unusual way For instance, they will ask you to pay via apple vouchers or through transfer services like oneyGram or Western Union. 6) They use threatening and aggressive language Along with urgency, scammers will also use threats to convince you to do what they say. Often, they will impersonate the police, FBI or tax collector, and threaten that you will be arrested. How To Avoid A Scam 1) Block Unwanted Calls & Messages. Do not reply to these unwanted calls and messages. 2) Never Give Personal and/or Financial Information To An Unexpected Request. Usually businesses and government agencies will not call, text or email you to ask for your sensitive personal information such as your bank account number, accounts, credit card numbers, PIN, your NRIC etc. 3) Do Not Panic, & Don’t Act Immediately (Resist it!). Businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to give them your sensitive personal information or to pay are scammers! 4) Always Tell Someone For Further Clarification. Before any action is taken, it is best to tell someone (e.g. family, friend, neighbour) about what happened. 5) If Unsure, Call NCPC Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. In Singapore, if you have any doubts or suspicions about a potential scam, you can seek a second opinion with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) Anti-Scam hotline via calling them or by checking their website for further information. *This is only valid in Singapore. Conclusion In a digital world teeming with opportunities and pitfalls, our vigilance becomes the shield that guards against deception. By recognizing the subtle signs of scams and maintaining cyber hygiene, we fortify ourselves against malicious intentions. Let us navigate the online realm with discernment and wisdom, ensuring our digital lives remain secure and thriving. In the face of scams, knowledge is not just power—it's our strongest defence. Stay informed, stay safe, and together we can unmask deception. Related Topics A Personal Cybersecurity Checklist - How Cyber Secure Are You? 12 Tips For A Safer Online Shopping: How To Avoid Falling For Online Shopping Scams Password Security Tips: How To Fortify Your Password Security What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Why Does It Matters? Comments are closed.
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