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Scam is an English term that stands for fraud or swindle. It refers to a form of deception in which fraudsters attempt to harm other people through fraudulent actions or exploit them for their own benefit. In terms of IT, scam refers to fraudulent activities that specifically use digital technologies and online platforms to deceive people, steal their personal information or obtain money from them.
Different types of scam
Phishing
Phishing means that fraudsters send emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate companies or institutions (e.g. banks, online services) to trick users into revealing confidential information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details. These messages often contain links to fake websites that look deceptively similar to the real thing.
Spear phishing
A targeted variant of phishing in which fraudsters target specific individuals or organizations. The messages are often personalized and based on information the scammers have gathered about the target.
Vishing
Voice phishing in which scammers contact people by phone and pose as representatives of trusted organizations in order to obtain personal information or money.
Smishing
SMS phishing, where fraudsters use text messages to trick users into clicking on malicious links or disclosing confidential information.
Malware
Malicious software also known as Malware is designed to infect computers, networks or mobile devices. Fraudsters can spread malware via email attachments, infected downloads or compromised websites to steal personal data, lock devices (ransomware) or compromise networks.
Fake tech support
Fraudsters pretend to be technical support staff and claim that the victim’s device is infected or has a problem. They request access to the device or personal information and often demand payment for their “services”.
Fake software updates
Fraudsters offer fake software updates that actually contain malware. These updates often appear as pop-up notifications or via malicious websites.
Online store fraud
Fraudsters create fake online stores that offer attractive products at low prices. Customers pay for the products but never receive the goods or receive inferior items.
Investment scams
Scammers use online platforms to advertise false investment opportunities, often with unrealistically high returns, to trick people into investing money.
How does scamming work in general?
Scamming in general works through the use of deception and manipulation to deceive victims and gain either financial or personal benefits. The scammer uses psychological tricks and technological means to gain the victims’ trust and get them to divulge information or money.
Fraudsters select their victims based on various criteria such as age, financial status, technical knowledge and online activities. The selection can be random or targeted, depending on the information available to the scammers. Before the actual scam is carried out, fraudsters carefully plan their approach. This may include creating fake identities, websites, emails or other resources that make the scam more believable. The scammer makes contact with the victim. This may be through emails, phone calls, text messages, social media or other communication channels. Contact is often made under the guise of a trusted source, such as a bank, government agency or well-known company.
A crucial step in scamming is building trust. Scammers use various techniques to gain the trust of victims, such as:
- Feigning credibility: Using professional-looking websites, logos and email addresses.
- Emotional manipulation: appealing to emotions such as fear, greed, compassion or infatuation.
- Creating urgency: exerting pressure by claiming that immediate action is required to solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity.
Once trust has been established, the fraudsters begin to deceive and manipulate the victim in order to achieve their goal. This may include the following:
- Requesting sensitive information: Requests for passwords, credit card details, social security numbers or other confidential information.
- Demanding money: Requesting money transfers, payments or investments in fraudulent projects.
- Installing malware: Request to download software or open attachments containing malware.
Once the fraudsters have received the requested information or money, they often disappear quickly to avoid detection. They break off contact, delete fake profiles or websites and move on to new targets.
How do I recognize that I am affected by a scam?
There are many ways to recognize that you have fallen victim to a scam, and they vary depending on the type of scam.
General signs:
- Unknown transactions
- Loss of money or goods
- Sudden account activity
- Personal information compromised
The first signs that you have fallen victim to a scam are often shown by unusual activity on bank or credit card statements. Unexplained transactions, unexpected account debits or notifications of credit card applications that were not made by you are clear warning signs.
Similarly, sudden difficulties accessing online accounts or evidence of changed passwords and security issues could indicate that personal data has been compromised. If suspicious emails, messages or calls arrive from alleged representatives of well-known companies, banks or government agencies asking for confidential information or payments, this is also a strong indicator of a scam.
Another sign that you have fallen victim to a scam may be the appearance of malware on your computer or mobile device. Symptoms such as unusually slow system performance, sudden pop-ups or warning messages about alleged virus infections, which call for immediate action, indicate a possible malware attack.
Missing or substandard deliveries after online purchases made from supposedly reputable online stores are also an indication of a scam. Alarm bells should also ring if you suddenly receive “technical support” calls or romantic expressions of interest with requests for financial help. These signs should be taken seriously, and it is advisable to take immediate action to limit the damage and further secure personal data.
What can those affected do?
Those affected by scams should first contact their financial institutions immediately to block their accounts and prevent unauthorized transactions. It is important to inform bank and credit card companies of the incident as soon as possible so that they can take action to prevent further damage. In addition, all affected online accounts should be reviewed and passwords changed to stop unauthorized access and prevent future access. Where possible, two-factor authentication should also be activated to ensure additional security.
Once the immediate steps have been taken, those affected should report the fraud to the relevant authorities and consumer advice centers. Reporting the fraud to the police can help document the fraud and potentially open a criminal investigation. Consumer advice centers often offer support and advice on restoring security and taking further action to limit the damage. Collecting and documenting all relevant information and evidence, such as emails, messages and transaction details, is essential to fully understand the incident and present it to the authorities.
In order to better protect themselves in the future, those affected should strengthen their security measures and inform themselves about common fraud methods. Regular security updates for all devices and software used are just as important as the use of strong, unique passwords for different accounts. Consciously handling personal information online and being cautious about unusual requests can help to minimize the risk of falling victim to fraud again.
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