Top 3 online scams you need to watch out for and how to avoid them

Internet and increased connectivity have made our lives easier. From ordering groceries and food to getting all your banking account related issued resolved with a few clicks to getting a consultation with a doctor over a phone call, advent of the internet age has simplified our lives by manifolds. It has also increased online scams significantly. From your personal data to your financial information to your identity, everything is up for grabs on the internet.

Scammers are constantly looking for new ways to defraud internet users for their own benefits. WhatsApp scams, OTP scams and phishing attacks via emails have become fairly common now. But fraudsters aren’t stopping at that. They are devising new ways to lure innocent netizens into giving up their data or their money. Before you trust another stranger with your information or with their request, take a look at these three online scams that are doing rounds on the internet:

Charity Scams

Charity scams are when fraudsters contact netizens to contribute to a relief fund by setting up a fake donation site. In some cases, they also pose as a needy person who is seeking donation for the treatment of a dire medical condition. Fraudsters often share messages from different phone numbers with different scenarios and a single donation site to defraud users.

Here are some examples of messages that users may receive in such cases:

How to protect yourself: The best way to protect yourself is by not clicking on the links in these messages and responding to these messages.

Messaging Scams

Messaging scams are one of the most commonly used tools by the fraudsters.  In some cases, the fraudulent message informs users that they received a prize or a courier and that they need to make a small payment in order to claim the prize or get the package.

How to protect yourself: A company delivering a courier will never ask you to pay for it. The delivery guy may ask you for an OTP, which would be shared with you by the company to verify your identity. But never will authentic company ask you for financial data. A delivery guy asking for a fee to deliver the package is the biggest red flag. Apart from this, look for grammatical errors in the message. If you’re not sure, don’t click on the attachments to share any details or make any payments.

Online Payment Scams

Scammers, lately, have devised a new way to defraud users who are looking for a property to rent or purchase, especially in the NCR. Scammers list fictitious properties on various websites for purchasing, selling and renting websites posing as the owner. When a user asks them to show a property, they demand a refundable fee that will be used for getting an entry pass in the society. Along with the refundable fee, they also ask the user for a copy of their Aadhaar card.

How to protect yourself: It is worth noting that gaining entry in even the more premium society doesn’t require an entry fee or Aadhaar card details. If someone asks you for an entry fee, it is probably a scammer trying to defraud the user. Don’t make any payments to such people to protect yourself.