How to Protect Yourself from Scammers
Especially since the Covid pandemic, digital scams have evolved over the years, and there are more things to be aware of than ever before, if you want to be safe from a threat. Picture this: you are sipping on your morning coffee, scrolling through your phone, when an innocuous text message appears, claiming to be from your bank. It informs you of an "urgent" issue with your account, demanding immediate action. The first thing to remember that even if the threat were real, you would have time to respond with a well formulated strategy. In this guide, I’ll prepare you with some strategies to safeguard yourself from internet, phone and text-based scams.
First off, cultivate a garden of skepticism whenever you are using a digital device. Treat every unsolicited message with the same suspicion you would a stranger on the street asking for your life story. Verify the sender's identity by checking the number or email against the one you have saved for the purported organization. If you get a phone call asking for any kind of personal information, tell them you will call right back and make sure you are talking to who you think you are talking to. For example, let us say you think you got a call from your bank. Do not assume you are talking with your actual bank. Tell them you need to gather some info, and if they insist you stay on the line, they have no right to keep you on the phone. Remember you have every right to end the call and confirm you are talking to the right person. Once you call your bank directly (from the google listed phone number or the number on your debit/credit card), you can ask about the case in question. Probability has it that there is no case, and they will likely tell you that you were on the phone with a scammer.
If a caller uses intimidation, urgency, guilt tactics, or threats, that usually means it is a malicious call. If a text message contains grammatical errors or an unusual sense of urgency, beware of these red flags and do not engage. Scammers often impersonate trusted entities to catch you off guard. Take a moment to scrutinize the details. Does the message include your full name or is it a generic "Dear Customer"? Does the link provided lead to the genuine website, or does it have a suspicious domain? In the era of deepfakes and AI-generated emails, it is crucial to question the authenticity of every digital communication that crosses your path.
Another thing to remind you here: do not be lured by the siren call of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you receive a text promising a windfall of Bitcoins or a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity, channel your inner skeptic and think twice before clicking any links. These scams are as old as the internet itself, but they continue to flourish because of our innate desire for easy wealth. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch in the digital world. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The scent of desperation or greed is what these scammers feed on, so keep your emotions in check and let logic prevail.
One aspect of cyber security that is even more important, is to fortify your digital moat with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a fingerprint or a one-time code sent to your device. Many scams today will pretend to be a company employee for an app or organization that you actively use, such as Lyft or Amazon. Their goal is to bypass this two-factor authentication.
No real organization will EVER try to bypass this, so if you encounter this type of request, hang up immediately and report it the actual organization in question. In the bustling cybermarket of 2024, your password is the drawbridge that protects your castle. Avoid using common words or phrases that could be easily guessed by cybercriminals. Some folks may opt for a password manager to generate and store complex passwords that are unique for each account. This makes it significantly harder for scammers to breach your accounts, even if they manage to get hold of your password. You can consider having a master password that interchanges numbers like “1” with the letter “I”, or the number “0” with the letter “O”. This can help you remember your own password, and also keep you protected from threats.
Next, educate yourself on the latest scam tactics. In the ever-evolving chess game of cybersecurity, scammers are always developing new strategies. Stay informed by subscribing to reputable cybersecurity newsletters and following trusted sources on social media. Learn about phishing, smishing, and vishing—variations of scams that involve phony emails, texts, and voice calls. Understand the psychological tactics they use, like fear and urgency, to manipulate your actions. Knowledge is power, and knowing the latest tricks of the trade will make it easier for you to spot a scam from a mile away.
Always be wary of requests for sensitive information. Legitimate companies and organizations will rarely ask for sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or social security digits via text or email. Most importantly, if you are asked to give this type of information, and the request is legitimate, take not that you are almost always the one making that phone call. If you received a call and this information is requested, this a reason to pause and consider that you may be speaking to a scammer. Never ask someone if they are a scammer, just say you will call back and call the organization in question on your own. If you are ever in doubt, go directly to the source by calling the company or visiting their official website. Scammers often pose as customer service agents or government officials to extract personal details. Remember, no bank, retailer, or institution will ask you to confirm sensitive data over an unsecured platform. If you must share information, use secure channels, such as encrypted messaging apps or official company portals.
Practice safe browsing habits. The internet is a vast playground of opportunities for scammers, so stick to the well-lit paths. Only visit secure websites with "https" in the URL and avoid clicking on random links from unverified sources. Be cautious of pop-ups and ads that promise miraculous solutions to your problems—they are more likely to be traps than treasures. When in doubt, type the website's address manually into your browser rather than clicking a link provided in an email or text. Also, refrain from using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions; it is the equivalent of shouting your bank details in a crowded mall.
Especially important today; don't let your guard down on social media. Scammers have honed their craft, taking on convincing personas to blend in as “just another person”. Be wary of friend requests from strangers or sudden messages from "long-lost" friends asking for financial help. Verify any unexpected or alarming posts from your actual friends before taking action. Scammers may also use your social media profiles to gather intel for personalized scams. Keep your settings private and be mindful of what you share—less information for them to exploit means less risk for you.
Report any scam attempts to the appropriate authorities. By doing so, you are not only protecting yourself but also potentially protecting others in your community. Reporting scams, even if not immediately fruitful, helps the authorities to eventually track and shut down theses illegal operations. Use your personal experience as a cautionary tale to others, raising awareness among your friends and family. Beware that your posts are set to be seen by “friends only”, rather than the public, if you are to make a post on social media sharing information about a scam. The last thing you want is a public indicator that you are potential victim for a scammer seeking intel.
Lastly, cultivate a culture of skepticism among your network. Educate your friends and family about scams, so they too can become adept at spotting the digital serpents in the garden. Sharing your knowledge and experiences can create a ripple effect of vigilance that extends beyond your personal bubble. After all, a well-informed community is a scammer's worst nightmare.
Overall, we want the digital devices we use to make our lives better. As long as we proceed with caution and take time before responding to unsolicited calls and messages, we can continue to have this mentality. Many victims of scams may feel that they never want to use their phone again. Keep in mind that even if you fall victim to a scam, it is not your fault. Your best course of action is to empower yourself with the tools and mentality to continue using your digital devices with a sense of confidence. Take care out there on the web and I hope this helps!
