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Online quiz scams -

Would you like to know which Disney princess you are? How about an IQ test? Oh boy, identity theft may be in the cards for you. Fraudulent quizzes and surveys collect personal information for malicious purposes. These quizzes can be used for identity theft or phishing, so avoid sharing personal details on unverified quiz websites, especially if they ask for sensitive information.

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Phishing scams -

Watch out for fake emails from banks and email providers asking for private information like passwords or credit card details. Some scammers pretend to be services like Netflix and try to steal your personal data. To stay safe, check the email carefully for official logos and website addresses, and don't click on suspicious links.

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Advance fee fraud -

Beware of a scam where fraudsters offer a big reward or benefit, but ask for an upfront fee to claim it. Sadly, once they get the payment, the promised reward disappears. It's best to be cautious of unsolicited offers and requests for upfront payments. Genuine organizations won't ask you to pay to get a prize.

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Nigerian prince scam -

The Nigerian prince scam is a well-known version of the advanced fee scam. Via email, someone who claims to be royalty, or a high-ranking official, asks for assistance in transferring a large sum of money. The victim is requested to provide bank information, and then it's downhill from there.

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Online shopping scams -

Some stores offer attractive deals on products that may not exist or are counterfeit. Many customers have been deceived, like with the fake Electronix Express, which promised electronics at incredibly low prices but failed to deliver the products after the payment was made. To avoid scams, research the website, check reviews, and ensure secure payment methods with "https://" and a padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

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Tech support scams -

Beware of tech support scammers pretending to be from well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple. They may ask for remote access to your computer to steal data or demand payment for fake issues. Don't give remote access to uninvited callers. Contact tech support through official channels.

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Social engineering -

There are many ways that scammers can trick you into giving away important information or doing something that you wouldn't usually do. They usually do this by taking advantage of your trust or making you afraid. For instance, in 2013 criminals hacked into Target's customer database by using the login credentials of a trusted HVAC vendor. So be cautious when sharing personal information, even with people who seem trustworthy.

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Romance scams -

'Love' scammers create fake online personas, establish emotional connections with victims, and then exploit their trust to ask for money or gifts. Be skeptical of these online love interests and avoid sharing personal or financial information with someone you haven't met in person.

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Investment scams -

Investment scams that guarantee high returns with low risk are fraudulent. The Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme is one of the most well-known examples of investment fraud in history, which resulted in investors losing billions of dollars. To avoid falling prey to such scams, it's important to conduct extensive research, seek advice from a financial expert, and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities before investing.

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Ransomware attacks -

Ransomware is a harmful program that encrypts the data of its victim and demands a ransom for its release. In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack affected some 300,000 computers globally, and it required ransom payments in Bitcoin. It's not recommended to pay the ransom since there's no assurance that the data will be restored. To prevent these attacks, it's essential you regularly back up your data, keep your software up to date, and install a reliable antivirus.

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Online auction frauds -

Some scammers list fake products on online auction sites to trick bidders into paying for items that they don't actually have. For instance, John Donnelly's fraudulent scheme on eBay caused a lot of people to lose money on nonexistent luxury items. Always check the seller's rating and history on the auction site, and use secure payment methods that provide buyer protection to avoid being scammed.

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IRS impersonation scams -

Watch out for fake IRS agents who use scare tactics and demand instant payment for alleged unpaid taxes. They might threaten you with arrest if you don't comply. They often ask for payment through prepaid cards or wire transfers. Confirm any tax concerns with the IRS directly, and remember that the IRS won't demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone.

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Pyramid schemes -

Pyramid scams, also known as Ponzi schemes, are almost as old as time. The idea is to engage people in recruiting others to join, under the promise of high returns. However, this 'business plan' is not sustainable and you'll lose everything. A good example is the ZeekRewards Ponzi scheme that defrauded many people of hundreds of millions of dollars. Avoid any plans that require recruitment and offer unrealistic returns. These pyramids often collapse, leaving many people with significant financial losses.

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Cryptocurrency scams -

These schemes lure people with promises of quick profits or investment opportunities in digital currencies. This often involves fake projects or non-existent tokens. One notorious example is the Bitconnect Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors with high returns on their Bitcoin investments. It is important to invest only in well-established cryptocurrencies and platforms, and to be cautious of offers that appear too good to be true.

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Fake check scams -

Here scammers send people fake checks as payment for goods or services. Once victims deposit these counterfeit checks, they're responsible for the entire amount when the checks bounce. A known example is the Craigslist scam where sellers received fake checks for their online sales. Always verify the authenticity of checks before depositing them, especially when dealing with unknown individuals or online transactions.

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Charity scams -

Posing as charities to solicit donations, fraudsters collect the cash but these donations never reach the intended cause. This happened in the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina scam, where scammers set up fake websites to collect donations intended for disaster relief. The right way to contribute is to research charities and donate directly through their official websites or trusted platforms.

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Lottery scams -

To receive a notification claiming you won the lottery but you never bought a ticket is weird, right? And on top of that, they ask you to provide your personal info and pay a fee in order to claim the prize. You would never fall for that... would you? The infamous 'Spanish Lottery' scam targeted people worldwide, falsely informing them of a substantial lottery win in Spain. Quite a few fell for it even if you cannot win a lottery contest that you never entered and in a foreign country on top of that.

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Job scams -

A high income for stuffing envelopes? No questions asked. Lovely! The catch is you need to pay a fee upfront for a starter kit. Don't do it. Instead, verify job opportunities with legitimate companies. Be cautious of requests for upfront payments.

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Fake job recruitment scams -

Unfortunately, there are some bad guys posing as Amazon employers. Bogus recruiters will act as legitimate HR staff and request your personal information and fees for job applications. Use trusted job search websites and verify job offers directly with the companies they claim to represent.

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Catfishing -

The MTV show 'Catfish' documents a lot of these real-life painful cases. Catfishers create fake online identities to deceive victims. This often leads people to emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. Be cautious of relationships online, especially if the person avoids video calls or in-person meetings. Try to verify their identity.

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Travel scams -

Fake travel agencies or websites offer deals that seem too good to be true. Because they are fake! Victims pay for vacations that either do not exist or are subpar. Like the Dream Trips travel club scam, which promised luxurious vacations but often delivered substandard experiences. The best way to avoid disappointment is to book through reputable travel websites and agencies. Otherwise, research the company's legitimacy and read reviews from other travelers.

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Student loan scams -

Need help with a student loan forgiveness or reduction application? If some entity offers you help in exchange for fees, be suspicious. A good example is the Ameritech Financial student loan scam, which charged high fees for services that borrowers could have obtained for free through government programs. Again: verify, verify verify! In this case, through official government websites.

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Blackmail scams -

Blackmailers threaten to reveal embarrassing or sensitive information about victims unless they pay a ransom. There are so many well-known examples of this type of scam! Many are obvious lies, while others are so vague they could be about anyone. As for what you can do, avoid sharing compromising content online, and if you receive a blackmail threat, report it to the authorities. Fear is your biggest enemy.

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Inheritance scams -

Perhaps you don't know your whole family? Well, scammers have that covered! They will contact you to say you have inherited money or assets, but must pay fees to access the inheritance. When in doubt, verify inheritance claims through legal channels and consult with legal professionals.

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Fake antivirus software -

A common fraud: antivirus software that appears legitimate but is malicious. Victims install the software, which can harm their computer. The Antivirus 2009 scam tricked users into downloading and purchasing fake antivirus software, making way for pirates to enter 'the ship.' Use only reputable antivirus software from trusted sources, and be cautious of unsolicited offers.

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Fake friend requests -

Scammers send friend requests on social media to gather personal information about victims or potentially initiate scams. The Facebook Clone scam is a good example of scammers creating fake profiles using stolen photos and sending friend requests to unsuspecting users. Try to only accept friend requests from people you know personally.

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Fake social media contests -

Beware of influencers and brand impersonators who run fake contests on social media platforms. They will collect your data. Various Instagram giveaway scams are from fake celebrity accounts promising expensive prizes to individuals who follow certain accounts and provide personal information. Try to verify the legitimacy of contests and promotions by checking the official social media accounts of the sponsoring entities.

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Online rental scams -

Beware of fraudulent online listings for rental properties or vacation homes that do not exist or are not owned by the scammer in question. Victims pay deposits or rent and never receive access to the property. For instance, several scammers list fake properties on Airbnb and trick users into making payments outside of the platform's official system. Be cautious and verify property details, contact landlords through official channels, and avoid paying upfront fees before viewing the property.

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Elderly scams -

Scammers often have a favorite target: the elderly. They pull various schemes, including fake charity requests, grandparent scams, and Medicare fraud. Often fraudsters impersonate a grandchild in distress, claiming they need money urgently, citing emergencies or legal trouble. Try to educate your elderly family members about common scams, and encourage them to verify requests for personal or financial information.

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Impersonation of trusted contacts -

Scammers can compromise the email or social media accounts of trusted contacts and impersonate them to solicit money or sensitive information from the contact's network. There are a lot of business email compromise (BEC) scam examples, where scammers gain access to an executive's email account and impersonate them to request fraudulent money transfers from employees. If you receive an unusual money request from your boss, just ask them directly and verify the identity of the individuals making these unusual requests.

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Be aware of what you share -

Perhaps you are concerned about the time your children spend online? But what about you? Are you a proud parent who enjoys posting your children's milestones on social media? Be mindful that some of those beautiful photos often end up in dark layers of the internet. Once they are online, they are not shared with your loved ones alone.

Sources: (Kaspersky) (BroadbandSearch)

See also: How to protect your digital privacy

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