You’ve probably heard by now that you can make money with the internet. This means that you’re also likely to hear about all sorts of scams, frauds, and spams too, especially if you’re new to the game and looking to make some extra cash online. If you want to avoid scams, frauds, and spam – or at least spot them before they rip you off – check out these tips by Faisal Abidi on how to avoid scams online and keep your hard-earned cash in your pocket.
Watch out for too good to be true offers
If you’re selling a product or service on your website, watch out for people offering you too good to be true deals. This kind of spam is all over social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. If you’re sending emails, look out for spam emails claiming to have an offer so good that it seems fishy. These scammers are not concerned with staying in business or even getting paid; they just want to siphon off your customers from you.
Try before you buy (e.g. free trials)
Many digital services offer free trials that allow you to use a service before deciding whether or not you want to pay for it. And that’s fine—it’s a good way of gauging whether a service is worth it. However, scammers are always looking for new ways of separating you from your money. So make sure to investigate carefully before signing up for any free trial that arrives in your inbox. Do a quick Google search if anything looks fishy.
Free gifts can be scams too
Free gifts might seem like freebies you don’t have to pay for. But they are also used as bait by fraudsters who trick victims into giving them personal information under false pretenses. Whether it’s a free vacation, a free iPod, or anything else you didn’t actually enter a contest for, a fraudulent scammer is hoping that you sign up for something (like credit cards) so they can collect your personal data and empty your bank account.
Check the URL (address in your browser)
Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails. When you get an email from a stranger—especially one with spelling or grammar errors—or if it asks for personal information, check that its address is legit by using internet search engines like Google. If something seems off about an email address or URL, don’t click on any links in that message. Scammers will often send thousands of these emails in hopes of fooling just a few people into giving up their info.
Look out for poor grammar
When you’re communicating with people via text or instant messaging, it can be difficult to distinguish between a legitimate message and a scam. Make sure you look out for grammatical mistakes that could indicate a scammer is trying to get in touch with you.
Are they quick to ask for payment details?
If an app asks for your credit card information or tries to charge you immediately after you download it, do not—we repeat: do not—follow through. That’s a sign of a scam. Any legitimate program will only ask for payment details once you’ve had ample time to try out its services. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Always read reviews!
If you’re buying anything online — from a vacuum cleaner to a digital e-book — always check out reviews for that product first. Not only will you learn about any of its limitations or problems, but reading other peoples’ experiences can help you determine whether a purchase is right for you. And if there are no current reviews on your preferred site? That’s probably a sign to look elsewhere.