A purchase that we make on the Internet and whose seller deletes profile within an hour, webcam blackmail, a computer screen that crashes and displays a ransom demand …, some online scams strike us with full force. But it’s not always easy to realize that you’ve been scammed.
If it is a scam, it is advisable to report it immediately on the dedicated platform of the Ministry of the Interior, then file a complaint to the police station. In the event of a fraudulent sale paid by bank card, the opposition must be made. It is also possible to be reimbursed, under certain conditions, by requesting a chargeback from your bank or the brand of your bank card or via chargeback companies.
Take the right actions and adopt cautious behavior.
The current pandemic is a period conducive to scams on the Internet (recourse to teleworking, time spent in front of screens on the rise, etc.), and professional crooks are constantly setting up new cyber attacks. Very trendy, phishing (a hacker disguised as a brand or a trusted organization, for example,, an administration, to recover personal data), and ransomware can be avoided by installing good quality antivirus software.
For financial or email scams, only mistrust (Internet purchases should be made from trusted brands, suspicious emails should be deleted …) and researching information can help to stop falling into the trap.
Cybercriminals have become more professional and no longer content themselves with sending false emails to trap individuals. The coronavirus crisis has given rise to fake SMS scams.
If the procedures vary, the goal is always the same: to steal a password from a bank account, the identifiers of an email or the social security numbers to impersonate the victim and take advantage of it. No more emails full of spelling mistakes, with pixelated logos that are not credible. Attacks are getting more and more sophisticated. Now cybercriminals can buy very sophisticated out-of-the-box phishing kits.
Stay on alert if you venture into online investing.
The world of investing has dislocated into the online sphere for a decade and so. It’s very convenient to have the possibility to earn your passive income from the comfort of your house.
His possibilities increase, especially with the rise of the crypto market. It’s a pool of opportunity for trading intermediaries and their clients since fortunes could be made in months or even days.
But beware, even if you think you are a seasoned trader or tech-savvy person, the scammers have become particularly skilled in their activities. Hence the importance of only entrusting your funds to the brokers that can prove compliance with the regulation and transparency in all aspects of their business.
Finally, besides the online trading and investing scammers, the new type of fraud is rising. Those are the individuals and companies promising to retrieve the stolen funds from your account. While there are legit businesses like this, some should be subject to vigilance, especially if there’s a gap in their presentation and a lack of business info. Even if they provide you with the required business contact info, take time to do your own research on the web by reading comments and reviews and make sure they are legit.
