From Fake Job Offers To Online Shopping Scams, Here Are The Biggest Cyber Scams Out There & How You Can Stay Safe

Kaspersky has listed some of the most popular online scams out there, from romance scams to online shopping scams.

Online relationships can sometimes mask malicious intent. Scammers may profess love quickly and request money citing hardships.

Source : Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

The internet is indeed a cornerstone of modern life but it also has its darker side — cybercriminals constantly devising ways to exploit unsuspecting users. Staying informed about these scams and their tell-tale signs is vital for online safety.

As detailed by known antivirus developer Kaspersky, here's an overview of common scams and tips to protect yourself:

Fake Job Offers

Victims receive unsolicited emails about roles like "mystery shopper," often accompanied by counterfeit checks. After cashing them and returning "overpaid" amounts, victims discover the checks were fake.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Avoid cashing suspicious checks; verify authenticity with your bank.
• Be wary of offers requiring you to send money back.

Lottery Scams

Scammers claim you’ve won a foreign lottery and request fees for taxes or insurance to release winnings. Sharing personal details often leads to identity theft.

How to Spot the Fraud:

• Legitimate lotteries don’t email winners unsolicited.
• If you never bought a ticket, you didn’t win.

Inheritance Scams

Often disguised as royalty or wealthy businessmen, scammers promise a cut of a fortune in exchange for small, upfront payments.

Warning Signs:

• Poor grammar in emails.
• Mismatched sender and reply addresses.

Romance Scams

Online relationships can sometimes mask malicious intent. Scammers may profess love quickly and request money citing hardships.

How to Stay Safe:

• Avoid sharing money with someone you haven’t met in person.
• Inform friends or family about offline meetups.

Charity Fraud

Disasters and tragedies attract scammers setting up fake donation sites. Emotional appeals are used to collect money fraudulently.

Safety Measures:

• Verify charities through trusted databases like Charity Navigator.
• Check for official tax-exempt documentation.

Tech Support Scams

Unsolicited calls from fake "tech support" teams often lead to malware installation via remote access programs.

Avoid Falling for It:

• Never grant remote access to unknown individuals.
• Question unexpected calls offering repair services.

Social Media Scams

Quizzes or fake apps may collect your personal data for identity theft. Phishing links in friend requests or messages can lead to malicious sites.

Prevention Tips:

• Skip quizzes requiring personal information.
• Avoid clicking on shortened URLs or unsolicited links.

Robocall Fraud

Automated calls, posing as government agencies or businesses, trick victims into sharing sensitive information.

How to Respond:

• Hang up immediately upon recognizing a robocall.
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Messaging Scams

Through SMS or apps like WhatsApp, fraudsters send links for fake prizes or warnings about account closures to steal your credentials.

Stay Safe:

• Verify messages with the purported sender directly.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Online Shopping Scams

Fake e-commerce sites lure buyers with steep discounts, often failing to deliver or sending subpar items.

Key Red Flags:

• Websites with unusual domain names or no "https" in the URL.
• Requests for unsecured payment methods like wire transfers.

TOP ADVICE: Staying vigilant is the best defence against online scams. Scrutinize offers, double-check websites, and remember—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.