High-tech devices and services such as mobile phones, online payment systems and the global network were created to make human life easier and more convenient.
Along with the development of technology, fraudsters have appeared who steal users' personal data and use deception to extort money. To recognize extortion, it is enough to know what types of fraud are popular on the Internet today and not to succumb to the tricks of cybercriminals.
How to cheat on the Internet: types of fraud
In our article, we will tell you about the main methods of deception used by cybercriminals. Knowing them, you will always have your finger on the pulse, and it will be more difficult for fraudsters to deceive you.
Substitution of URLs of popular sites
Well-known brands are trusted by users, so when they go to a popular company's website, visitors do not suspect that they can become victims of intruders. Fraudsters often clone web resources that are familiar to a large number of people. When a person makes a purchase or registers on a fake website and enters personal data and bank card details, they end up in the hands of criminals. Replacing a real website with a fraudulent one is called spoofing.
We tell you what types of fraud there are on the Internet.
To distinguish an official website from a fake, you need to check the address bar in your browser after opening the web resource. All symbols must match the real URL of the company. Sometimes the replacement can be almost imperceptible, for example, one additional letter, a Cyrillic symbol instead of a Latin one, a number in place of a letter.
Links that do not lead to the main page can be large, so it is common practice to shorten bahamas whatsapp number database them on social networks using special services. In this case, users cannot verify the correctness of the URL, since such links usually indicate the name of the service used to shorten them. Fraudsters use them to disguise suspicious links as official brand websites. Before using a hyperlink, check it for viruses using one of the special online services.
Another popular way to distribute fake URLs is through phishing emails. Cybercriminals send a letter to a user of a service on behalf of official representatives and convince them to click on a hyperlink, for example, to get an additional discount. In this case, the fake URL can be embedded in a motivating word ("go", "get") and lead to a fake site. Carefully check the email addresses from which you receive such messages.
Hacking a social media page
Having gained access to someone else's account, the attacker sends messages to everyone on the user's friend list and asks to urgently lend money, citing a problem and trying to elicit sympathy. If you are approached with such a request on a social network, messenger or by email, treat it with suspicion. Call your friend and make sure that this was his personal request.
If there is no way to quickly establish personal contact, do not send funds to cards that do not allow you to verify the identity of the person receiving the payment.
Payments for delivery of your own winnings
Companies often hold sweepstakes among their customers and followers on social networks. This is one way to attract the attention of the audience, get a positive review and repost. Contests are a common content marketing tool, so they rarely arouse suspicion. However, if you are offered to pay for the delivery of the prize itself, refuse to receive such a prize. Reputable organizers usually do not ask winners to compensate for the delivery. By agreeing to pay, you risk sending money to a fraudster and not receiving any gift.
You should not agree to pay, even if you yourself took part in the drawing and did not receive the gift by accident. In social networks, it is easy to track user activity by likes, subscriptions, reposts and comments, so you may be informed about the win not by official representatives of the company that held the drawing, but by scammers.
Popular Types of Internet Fraud
-
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2025 4:29 am