Why can’t we all just get along in the cyber world? At every corner, it seems like you have to keep your defenses up due to fear of fraud. Someone can take your entire identity! Things have definitely changed over the years. Learning how to avoid letting scams get the best of you will put you in control. You don’t have to sit back helplessly while people you don’t know ruin your day.
In most cases, frauds and scams happen because the consumer is just unaware. How can we fix this? Here are a couple of tips on how to avoid letting scams get the best of you.
Ridiculous Price Cuts
Do you really think you’re going to get a Gucci bag for $99 USD? Let’s be realistic. While we all love a good sale, don’t be fooled by a price that makes no sense. Ten or fifteen percent off an item is a little bit more reasonable and a lot less skeptical. If you are really fishing for a deal, it’s better to check your email from a trusted source and use their promo code. The internet is full of goodies, but it’s also full of scams.
Grammar Mistakes
Those of you who studied English in school will be able to spawt a typo anywhere (did you catch it in this sentence?). Most scammers won’t bother with proper grammar and spelling. This is the easiest way to spot a scam taking place before you become the latest victim. And seriously, any company that is worth your money will know the difference between “your” and “you’re” (right?). There aren’t a lot of people that like to read anymore, but if you do, you might pick up on these grammar mistakes early on. Always have a watchful eye when doing anything on the internet.
Related reading: Why Scammers Make Spelling and Grammar “Mistakes”
Suspicious Surveys
When you receive a survey in your email, be sure to check the date. This is the fastest way to tell if a survey is real or fake. Most skeptical surveys will urge you to “act fast” but will have a date in the past. These two conflicting items work against the scammer and in your favor if you can catch the glitch. Holidays are a prime time for suspicious surveys to pop up out of nowhere.
One more thing to be aware of is the alignment of the email and the survey. For instance, you may get an email from a hardware store. When you click on the button in the email, it may take you to a survey. If any of the questions don’t make sense for the company, that is a big red flag. Would a hardware store ask you how many times you shop at the grocery store? Probably not. The best thing you can do is use your common sense, despite what is being presented to you.
All in all, each day should be spent creating lasting memories with friends and family, not being attacked by a scammer. Help yourself out by understanding how to avoid these scams so you aren’t put in a compromising situation.
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