Misc Section

1 in 20 Fall for Online Scams!

May 2005

A frightening new poll has just been released saying that 1 in 20 are falling for online scams. Looks like the natural greed within all of us is far more powerful that was first thought. But if you use the follow these simple rules there is NO WAY that you'll become a victim

Simple Anti-Scam Rules

1. Ignore ALL emails that ask you to login to an account (say Bank, Credit Card etc) even if they look 100% real
2. If in doubt NEVER click on a link within an email address. Instead open up your browser and manually type in the website address
3. Again if in doubt PHONE the company in question
4. NEVER give your credit card or bank details out online unless YOU initiate the transaction (if somebody emails you asking for this information you didn't initiate the transaction)
5. Ignore ALL emails that inform you that you've won a prize, free money, free tickets to the World Cup etc
6. Ignore ALL emails that promise easy riches
7. Ignore ALL emails that promise above average rates of pay (£1,000 a week or more), especially if they're to do with 'work from home'
8. The Nigerian 401 scam is taking new twists and turns all the time, it's now Iraqi Generals etc. The scam works by promising you riches but before you can get hold of them the scammers will ask you for all sorts of upfront payments
9. Finally, use a lot of common sense. People DO NOT give free money away, financial institutions DO NOT ask for user/login information etc, you are NOT that lucky to receive winning lottery tickets or free sports tickets

The Internet is Not a Bad Place

Don't let a few bad apples scare you away from the internet or email. Just use some common sense and if in doubt be cynical. View emails and other forms of correspondence from people or organisations you don't know as very suspect.

Finally, use the internet to check out anything suspicious. If you get a spam email from somebody and you're suspicious then chances are 1000's of other people have also received it and some of them will be talking about it online. Use this website www.scam.com as a starting point.