Internet Scams – 5 Common Ones to Avoid

The internet has become a playground for faceless criminals.  These scammers are continuously developing ways to use the internet to swindle people out of their money and personal information.  The following five scams have been around for some time, but still get people taking the bate and falling for the scam every day.

“Phishing” Scams – These types of scams try to trick you into divulging personal and financial information.  Often times the email looks very official, using logos from financial institutions and companies, but once you click onto this fake website, you will often be asked to log in or give account information. This personal information is used to access your real bank accounts and often wipe them clean.

Giveaway Scams – Some scams offer you a give certificate from a popular store or restaurant or tell you that you won a new iPhone or Xbox.  These types of scams will ask you for credit card information to cover postage or ask you to promote your gift to friends. The scammers will either take your money and never send the “prize” or take your friends information and try to scam them.

“Nigerian Prince” Scams – This popular, long-standing scam asks for money to help release a larger sum of money and promises you a large portion of the profit.  They want you to send or wire money to cover taxes or fees so you can access the rest of the money. Obviously this money goes directly to the scammer and you never see any portion of this larger sum of money.

Computer Security Scams – You might get a warning that your computer security is at risk.  This scam takes you to a fake website that may look just like a popular internet security provider.  Once on the site, you might be asked to purchase a new program or security upgrade.  This is how they get personal and financial information.

Lottery Scams – You will be contacted via email stating that you won an international lottery.  In order to claim prize money, you need to send some money to cover administrative fees, etc.  They may also ask you to keep your winnings confidential for “security reasons”.  This fee you send will go straight to the scammers and they might come back for more money.

With the innumerable scams out there and their changing “faces” every day, it is difficult to keep up with the current ones.  In general, just remember that if it seems “too good to be true,” it most likely is a scam.

Written By: Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

Top Causes of Identity Theft

With all the news about security breaches from various companies and institutions, you would think that the internet is the most common way thieves steal your identity, but there are many other ways to have your personal information taken advantage of quickly.  Here are a few:

• Purse or wallet: A stolen or lost wallet is the easiest way for a thief to steal your identity and have direct access to your identification and credit cards including the code on the back.
• Shoulder Surfing: Be aware of your surroundings, many sneaky thieves peek over your shoulder while in ordinary places like the grocery store or library.
• Mail: A thief may steal mail from financial institutions right out of your mailbox or forward your mail directly to them until you notice.
• Garbage: Some thieves are not above dumpster diving and stealing information from mail and publications you throw away, be sure to remove all personal information.
• Scanning Devices: Some thieves put scanning devices on ATM’s and other self-pay devices, these scanners copy and steal the information right off your credit card
• Phone Scam: Never give out personal information over the phone, many scammers convince you to give them personal and financial information by claiming to be a trusted a source.
• Internet: There are many phishing scams on the internet that entice you to click on a link that allows the thief to obtain your personal and financial information.

Although you can’t guarantee the safety of your personal information, even if you are careful, there are companies that will monitor it and notify you immediately if identity or financial theft is suspected.

Written By: A. Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

Five Current Internet Scams – Don’t Become a Victim

The scams on the internet are continually developing and changing as people catch on to them.  Some scammers try completely difference tactics while others may just change the company name involved to prey on more victims.  Here are 5 scams currently circulating around the internet and most likely in your spam folder if you were lucky enough to have them filtered.

Email Pleas – You may receive an email plea from someone you know (who has been hacked) asking for help and ultimately money.  If might say that their purse or luggage was stolen and need you to wire them money right away.  Always check with friends and family members before you send money, never wire money without firsthand knowledge of the incident.

Dating Scams – Some scammers build fake internet websites luring prospective daters. Once on the website, they try to get you to divulge personal information.  They may use this information to meet, contact, or solicit you for money. Always make sure a dating  website is reputable before giving any personal information.

FBI Virus – This virus locks your computer and brings up an “official” looking FBI website that says your computer has been locked due to illegal activity.  To unlock your computer, you are asked to pay a bogus fee.  The FBI will never ask you for money, remove this virus or get it professionally removed right away, do not send money or purchase cash cards.

Facebook Scams – Many of these scams involve giveaways or surveys.  When you click on the link, it spreads information quickly and involves all your friends who also may fall for the scam. These scams may look like regular posts, but can be much more dangerous.  Avoid unknown links and let your friends know if it looks like the scam is coming from his/her account.

Survey Scams –You may get an email asking you to complete a survey in order to receive a gift certificate, discount, or free product from a big company like Target, Dell, or Xbox. Then, you will be solicited for a small amount of money to receive the gift or you will be asked to promote you winnings to your friends. These large companies do not give away products via email; never send any amount of money to receive a prize.

The internet has brought us a wealth of knowledge and possibilities, but with the good comes the bad.   Scammers use this global tool to make money illegally without ever leaving their home.  Beware of these popular scams, tell your friends about them, and delete them from your spam folder. 

Written By: Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV