4 Tips to Avoid Falling for Fraud Schemes via Email or Phone

Have you ever received an email from a runaway prince promising to share their riches? It’s a classic example of a phishing scam—a very obvious one. And while this specific fake offer is unlikely to fool anyone, there are many more well-crafted fraud schemes that even the well-informed might fall for. These include phishing, smishing, and vishing scams, which you typically receive via email or phone.

Here are a few straightforward and realistic tips you can follow to make sure no important information is stolen from you.

Let’s Define What Fraud Schemes Really Are

To put it simply, fraud schemes are attempts made by cybercriminals who try to trick you into giving them private sensitive information like your credit card details and account passwords. Bolder scams will even try to extort money from you directly.

One of the most common fraud scams is phishing, in which a scammer tries to achieve their goal via email. However, other mediums exist, such as text messages for smishing and even phone calls for vishing.

The process of fraud schemes

Regardless of the medium, digital scams follow a pattern. First, cybercriminals bait you with information designed to catch your attention, often using scare tactics. They might lie about your computer or account being compromised or offer an enticing special deal.

Once they have your attention, they’ll ask you to click a link to a sketchy website or make you download a suspicious program, which is likely malware. Either way, the goal of this step is to extract information from you.

After successfully obtaining the data they need, scammers can drain your bank account, impersonate you online, or even sell your sensitive data on the dark web. The harm to your privacy and the time required to fix these consequences are both substantial and shouldn’t be underestimated.

The possibilities of such scams are truly alarming, but it doesn’t have to reach this point. Here are some tips to avoid dealing with these kinds of problems.

Tip 1: Spot the Red Flags in Messages

If you closely examine emails or texts, you will see that most bogus messages show clear indicators that expose them as scams. Here’s what you should look for:

An unfamiliar sender or email address

The email claims to be from your bank, but the sender’s email contains spelling errors? This is most likely a phishing attempt. Even if the email address appears to be from a specific bank, double-check for any extra numbers, letters, or misspelled words within the email address.

So, if you receive an email that appears to be from the JPMorgan Chase bank but comes from an address like jp.mn1help@jpmorgan.com, it’s probably a scam. Real emails of official authorities usually do not include extra dots or numbers. But if you’re still not sure about it, check whether the same email is mentioned on the bank’s official website.

In case you receive a text claiming to be from your bank, even though they’ve never contacted you via text before, verify it with the bank’s support team. And if you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from your bank, hang up immediately, check the bank’s official website, or call them directly to verify the number’s legitimacy.

Generic greetings with grammar mistakes

Remember, legitimate companies always proofread their messages to ensure they align with their standards and the tone fits the subject. If the message contains logical or grammatical mistakes, approach it cautiously and consider whether the company has a valid reason for getting in touch with you. Also, consider the greeting used. Fraudulent emails, messages, or phone calls usually use vague references like “Dear user.”

Aim to get your information as fast as possible

Fraud schemes usually create a sense of urgency to make you quickly click on a link or give out your information. Don’t be tricked by this. Always check if the threat is real by reaching out to the sender through official means. Find out if the company is aware of the message and can confirm if it is real or not.

Tip 2: Protect Your Information

Here’s a golden rule: never share sensitive information, such as your account credentials or financial details, via email, SMS, or phone calls. Legitimate companies, like your bank or an internet service provider, will never ask for this type of information through unsecured channels—they already have secure systems to access it if needed. So, if a message or call asks for such details, it’s likely a scam.

Your login credentials, bank details, credit card numbers, and especially your Social Security number are all valuable treasures that scammers want to steal. Even your birthday, the school you went to, or the name of your pet shouldn’t be disclosed to anyone you don’t know. This is, of course, assuming you used any of them as the answer to secret questions for your accounts.

Tip 3: Make It a Habit to Verify

If a fraudulent email or message encourages you to click on the provided link, it will most likely lead you to a website that tries to replicate a legitimate platform, such as a bank, online store, or social media site. This is done to trick you into entering your login credentials, personal information, or payment details.

However, there are simple ways to identify whether a website is genuine or not. For example, if you find yourself on a website that looks real, but you’re not sure if it actually is, check for a padlock icon next to the web address. Padlocks show that your connection to this website is secure. If you see one, the site is probably genuine. And if it doesn’t, it’s best for you to leave the site immediately.

You can also look at the website itself and examine its quality. Things like poor design, low-quality images, nonsensical content, or excessive pop-up ads are strong signs it’s not legitimate.

Tip 4: Use Cybersecurity Tools to Prevent Phishing

Fraud schemes have been around for quite some time now. Naturally, there are also a lot of tools that have been developed to prevent people from falling victim to them. Here are a few you should consider using:

Spam filters

Popular email and messaging service providers already have robust spam filters integrated into them. However, some well-crafted phishing emails, spam messages, or even fraudulent calls might occasionally get through. If they do, try tweaking the filter settings on your device or creating a new spam filter.

There are also some standalone spam filter tools that you can use to enhance your security. These tools can help block phishing emails, smishing messages, and even detect patterns in fraudulent calls. If you’re interested in getting one, make sure you choose the one that ensures real-time threat detection, allows you to customize the tool, and has advanced filtering techniques.

Password managers

Although password managers don’t offer complete protection against fraud, they make hacking attempts much more challenging. These tools generate strong, unique passwords for each account and securely store them. Additionally, they can prevent credential theft by refusing to autofill sensitive information on phishing sites, ensuring you don’t accidentally enter your details on fake websites.

Many password managers also warn users about fraudulent websites or changed passwords. This helps you quickly identify hacking attempts and create new, secure passwords for your accounts before things get worse.

eSIMs

Many phishing and smishing attempts target public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured and easily exploited by hackers. By providing a safe, private internet connection, eSIMs help lower the possibility of getting your data manipulated or intercepted. This is particularly crucial while traveling because the probability of getting hacked becomes more likely when you’re away from your safe home networks.

Before choosing an eSIM, be sure it fits your needs and is worth the price. eSIM comparison tables found online can help you find the best option for your needs.

Virtual private networks

While not a direct defense against phishing emails and messages, a VPN can make you a less appealing target for hackers. Essentially, it encrypts all of your internet traffic, routes it through secure VPN servers, and then returns it to your device encrypted. This way, a VPN ensures that no data you send online can be intercepted or deciphered. But how does this help to avoid fraud scams?

A VPN reduces the personal information that scammers can use to target you with tailored phishing or smishing attacks by masking your IP address and concealing your location. Furthermore, many advanced VPNs include features such as phishing site warnings or blocks, which further help you avoid malicious websites.

Be Vigilant & Take Action

If you suspect you’re being scammed, take these steps: First, avoid clicking any links and assess the message’s legitimacy. Second, contact the sender directly through official channels if the message you received appears suspicious. While waiting for a response, report the original message and block the sender. Lastly, employ cybersecurity tools to make yourself a less appealing target, and always question the legitimacy of received emails, messages, or phone calls.

We’re sure that understanding fraud and its warning signs will empower you to avoid scams, make informed choices, and ensure your online safety. Take care out there!