Email scams

Email scams have been around since the early days of cybercrime and remain a prevalent threat today. Cybercriminals see this type of fraud as a lucrative opportunity to steal money or personal information from unsuspecting victims. They may use various tactics, such as identity theft or spyware, to gain access to sensitive information.

To protect yourself from email scams, it’s essential to learn how to recognize the most common types. Being vigilant and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity can also help you avoid falling victim to these scams. Here are five of the most common email scams to watch out for:

1. Foreign lottery scam

One of the most prevalent email scams is the foreign lottery scam, in which you receive an email that appears to be from an official foreign lottery corporation. The subject line typically congratulates you on winning a substantial sum of money. However, there are clear indications that the email is fraudulent. Firstly, if the sender is a person and not an official lottery email address, it is almost certainly a scam. For instance, an email from Bob_Jones_5890@gmail.com informing you that you’ve won millions of dollars is clearly not legitimate.

Another sign that the email is a scam is if your name is not in the “To” field. This indicates that the email has been sent to a large number of people in the hopes of tricking a few into falling for the scam. You can easily verify this by doing a quick search on Google. Often, you’ll find that the lottery doesn’t even exist, and it’s a well-known scam.

Another red flag is when the scammer requests personal information such as your full name, date of birth, street address, and phone number. This type of email is known as a phishing scam, which is designed to trick you into giving away sensitive information. If you provide this information, you may end up with a stolen identity or drained bank account.

The easiest way to protect yourself from this common email scam is to remember that if you did not enter a lottery, you cannot win it. Even if you do enter, your chances of winning are very slim. So, always be wary of unsolicited emails offering large sums of money or requesting personal information.

2. Romance scam

The romance scam is a widespread email scam in which an impostor presents themselves as a wealthy prince or princess who has been exiled, possessing millions of dollars they wish to share with you. They assert that they are unable to access the funds themselves and can only transfer them to someone outside the country, ideally you, as they have heard you are reliable.

In one instance, a potential client was so ensnared by the scam that he was prepared to leave his wife and marry the supposed princess. When asked if he had ever spoken to her on the phone, he replied in the negative. Further, he had never done a video chat via Skype or WhatsApp with her. He had even sent $8,000 to assist her with her aunt’s medical bills.

I advised him to listen to me, explaining that the truth was there was no money or princess, just a man sitting in an internet cafe in Nigeria with his friends, tricking people and laughing about it. Despite my warning, he became furious and yelled that it was none of my concern, insisting that the princess was genuine and that he loved her, before hanging up on me.

Unfortunately, some victims of these scams become so invested that they begin to imagine the relief they will feel when all of their bills are paid and they have access to free money. As a result, they dig themselves deeper into a hole by continuing to fall for the scam. One woman was so upset when I informed her of the truth that she had already sent over $200,000 to the Nigerian scammers in chunks of $8,000 and $10,000 as a supposed release fee for her uncle’s inheritance.

3. PayPal or online credit card/banking scam

The PayPal or online credit card/banking scam is another prevalent email scam that can be quite alarming. You may receive an email that appears to be from PayPal warning you that your account is at risk of deactivation due to a security breach. This can trigger a sense of urgency and lead you to click the link in the email and log in to your account.

Unfortunately, this is a trap, and the website you log into is not the actual PayPal website, but a fraudulent one designed to look the same. By entering your login details, you are unwittingly handing over your email address and password to a cybercriminal who can use this information to steal from you. They can change your password, drain your account, and even use your personal information to scam your contacts.

Here are some ways to spot a PayPal or online credit card/banking scam email. Firstly, check the sender’s email address – just because the sender’s name is “PayPal security center” doesn’t make it real. An email address such as paypal-security-center@official.paypal.io is a red flag, as PayPal only sends emails from the address ending in paypal.com.

Another sign of a scam is if they don’t use your name. Legitimate companies will use your name if you do business with them. Any email that starts with “Dear valued customer” is likely a scam.

Be wary of the linked URL. If you hover your mouse over “Click here” or “Take action now” and see a URL that doesn’t lead to PayPal.com, do not click it. Scammers use threats to make people click on the link, such as claiming there’s been a security breach on your account. Don’t fall for it. No real company will threaten to close your account if you ignore an email.

4. Mystery shopper scam

The mystery shopper scam, also known as the secret shopper scam, has multiple variations that aim to steal either your money, personal information, or both. The premise of this work-from-home scam is an email with a subject line that promises you can earn a large income as a mystery shopper, without any prior experience or education. You can supposedly make up to $200 or $300 a day just by shopping.

But this is too good to be true, and there are two ways in which you can be defrauded. First, you may have to pay upfront to receive training materials. Although the money may seem reasonable, you will never receive the training package after sending your payment via PayPal or personal check.

You may receive a fraudulent check. This scam is even more dangerous. The scammers will ask you to provide your address and will send you a fake check in the mail as your first payment. However, they will also request that you send back some of the money to cover your study materials. Once you cash the check and wire the requested amount of money, you will soon find out that the check you deposited has bounced. As a result, you will be responsible for paying the thousands of dollars worth of fraudulent check charges, overdraft fees, and other related fees.

Remember that legitimate job offers do not come out of nowhere. If you did not apply for a job, it is unlikely that you will be offered one. Additionally, if you are ever asked to spend money upfront for training or materials, it is highly likely that you are dealing with a scammer.

5. Nigerian check scam

The Nigerian check scam is one of the most prevalent email scams out there. If you fall for this scam, you’ll receive an email from someone with a fancy name like Sir Arthur von Monsoon or Barrister Frank Einstein, claiming to need your help in recovering large sums of money from a foreign bank. They’ll promise to reward you with a generous cut of the cash.

But, as with most scams, there’s a catch. After expressing your willingness to help, you’ll be asked to provide your bank account information so the money can be transferred to you. You’ll also be asked to pay transfer fees. After sending a few hundred dollars for what you believe will be a big payout, you’ll receive another email stating that there’s been a delay and you need to send more money. This will continue until you, the unsuspecting victim, realize that you’ve been scammed out of your money, and that the only way the money is going is out of your bank account.

Social networking scams

Social networking sites offer the convenience of connecting with friends, family members, and even famous people from around the globe. However, the downside is that you can also become an easy target for cybercriminals who are experts in online hoaxes. Below is a brief compilation of the most prevalent types of social networking scams.

1. Hijacked profile scam

My sister fell victim to a profile hijacking scam recently. She had a Facebook page with a huge following of over a million users. One day, she received a message with a link that read “Is this a pic of you?” Unsuspecting, she clicked on the link and was prompted to enter her username and password, thereby logging into her Facebook account. Unfortunately, the link was a trap, and the thief behind it used her login details to steal her page. She never managed to regain control of the page, despite contacting Facebook for help.

2. The quiz scam

Avoid taking social networking quizzes and deleting app requests. The “Which Twilight character are you?” quiz may cost you a monthly charge. It starts innocently with a quiz you see on your friend’s profile. You click it, enter your cell phone number as instructed, and take the quiz. Later, you’re shocked to find out that a dubious monthly service has been added to your cell phone bill for $9.95. Remember that the quiz asked for your cell phone number to take the quiz, and the fee was added to your bill.

3. The suspicious photos game

One of the most common ways that cybercriminals obtain login information or hijack social media accounts is by posting suspicious links on the victim’s page. This scam is similar to the one that my sister fell for. A hacked friend’s account posts a link on your page, accompanied by a message like “OMG is this a picture of you?” Clicking on the link may cause panic, which can prompt you to proceed to the login page. Assuming it’s a glitch, you log in again, unwittingly disclosing your social media login details.

Now the cybercriminal can use your account to try and scam your friends. If you spot a suspicious link, delete it immediately, and send an email or text message to your friend to let them know that their account may have been hacked.

4. Hidden URL scam

As a regular Twitter user, I always use TinyURL to shorten my links, and many legitimate businesses do the same to stay within Twitter’s character limit. However, it’s best to be cautious when clicking on links. When you receive a new follower on Twitter, take a moment to review their previous updates. Do they seem like spam? Do they follow thousands of people but have few followers of their own? Is their profile picture more suited for a Victoria’s Secret or Maxim catalog cover than a business profile? If any of these red flags are present, clicking on their links could lead you to a website that downloads spyware or malware onto your computer without your knowledge.

5. The IRS scam

The IRS scam is one of the most widespread scams and it can easily victimize unsuspecting individuals, especially the elderly. My own mother fell prey to this scam when she received an email from someone claiming to be from India. Upon calling the number provided in the email, she was greeted by an individual with an Indian accent who identified himself as an IRS representative. He informed my mother that she was on the brink of being arrested for unpaid taxes and that she needed to send money immediately to rectify the issue. My mother was about to comply with the demand until she reached out to me, and I advised her that it was a scam. It’s important to be aware of such scams and to seek advice from trusted individuals before making any monetary transactions.

How to avoid these common scams online?

Avoiding online scams is possible if you know what to look for. Here are five common ways to avoid email and social networking scams:

1. Delete unsolicited emails. Legitimate companies will never send you unsolicited emails with important information.
2. Don’t believe promises of money or prizes. Emails or social networking links that promise free money or prizes are almost always scams.
3. Question requests for donations. Scammers take advantage of national disasters by sending fake donation requests. Donate to reputable charities like the Red Cross instead.
4. Never disclose sensitive information. Anyone asking for your bank account or Social Security number via email is up to no good. Mark the email as spam and move on.
5. Hover before you click. Unsolicited emails or social networking links may lead you to login pages designed to steal your information. Always check the link before you click.

Remember, online con artists are always finding new ways to scam people. However, you can protect yourself and your loved ones by learning about these scams and avoiding them. Share this knowledge with your children and elderly relatives to help them avoid falling prey to scammers.