They never let us rest as they phish, poke and pry our private information in an attempt to exploit us all! But at this link you will find the crucial steps to easily thwart every evil one, once and for all!
Internet fraud is alive and well, and it’s costing victims thousands of dollars. In fact, the FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center (IC3) received a record 792,700 complaints of online fraud in 2020, with $4.1 billion in reported losses—that’s an average of over 2,100 per day at around $5,000 per person.
Anyone can become a victim of online crime, but older adults tend to be more at risk. According to the IC3, overt 40% of all internet crime victims are over the age of 50. Sadly, this group also reports the greatest number of victims who lose more than $100,000. We don’t expect you or your loved ones to unplug from the internet, but we do want you to stay safe online. So familiarize yourself with these common internet scams and the proactive measures you can take to avoid them.
COVID-19 scams update Unfortunately, the global pandemic has inspired scammers to prey on people while we’re already worried and vulnerable. Here are the latest scams to hit the scene—and some tips to avoid them.
Social media scams On top of unending photos of the banana bread everyone’s baking, social media has been full of posts offering fake COVID-19 cures, phony coronavirus tests, and false vaccination information.
Between March and May 2020, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, spotted nearly 2,000 fraudulent social media posts related to fake health products and financial scams related to the pandemic. How to avoid social media scams
Avoid deals that are too good to be true: If the price is super-cheap, the product promises miracle results, or promos feature limited stock and rapid, bulk sales, it’s probably a scam.
Be wary of imported goods: When it comes to health care solutions, imported COVID-19 tests, medicine, vaccines, or cures shouldn’t be trusted. In addition to being risky, it’s probably illegal to sell unvetted coronavirus health products from abroad.
Don’t buy directly from social media: Sellers that use direct messaging or apps like WhatsApp or Skype to peddle their wares, are most likely frauds. If you can’t find a legit store, just hit “exit.”
Robocall scams Being stuck at home has made everyone more vulnerable to robocall scams. These scams tend to target older Americans in particular. Many of these phony callers pose as government agencies or charities—entities that people are likely to trust with personal and financial information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports more than 131,000 complaints regarding pandemic-related scam calls. But that’s nothing compared to the more than three billion robocalls Americans have received.
How to avoid robocalls
Don’t pick up: If you see a call from an unknown number, let it go to voicemail. If it’s a friend, they’ll leave you a message. If you find a computer-generated voice message, block the number and report it as a scam robocall.
Filter scam calls out: Most mobile phones have a feature or app that lets you filter out unknown callers and numbers that are likely to be fraudulent robocalls. The FTC has a complete guide to help you block scam calls on Android, iOS, and landline phones.
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