How to protect yourself from scams
When we read about scams online and watch documentaries about notorious fraudsters, we might assume we’d never fall victim to such a thing.
But scams have come a long way since the ‘Nigerian Prince’ emails of the ‘90s and 2000s. Back then, you’d receive an email ridden with spelling mistakes, promising you an investment opportunity in return for a small advance payment or the temporary use of your own bank account.
Nowadays, most of these emails go straight to our junk folders, forcing fraudsters to come up with more innovative ways to make ordinary people part with their cash.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common scams and how you can protect yourself.
1. Set long and strong passwords
When the internet was in its infancy, people were encouraged to use easy-to-remember passwords that didn’t need writing down. At the time, you only needed to remember the login details for one or two accounts. But now, every aspect of our lives is managed online and so it can be tempting to use the same passwords repeatedly.
This can be risky, especially if your passwords and security answers include basic information such as your middle name or date of birth.
You can protect your money, personal information and private messages by using a complicated password for each account and never using the same password twice.
Online password managers such as LastPass and 1Password can offer a secure way to store all your login details.
If you don’t feel comfortable using such tools, it’s okay to write your passwords down in a notebook. Think of it this way: It’s unlikely that someone will break into your house in search of a password book. Hackers on the other side of the world are a much greater threat.
2. Be careful what you share online
If you use social media, you might’ve seen posts encouraging you to share fond memories from your childhood. You might be encouraged to share a photo of your first car or the name of the street that you grew up on.
Unfortunately, while these questions may seem like harmless fun, they can be used by scammers looking to harvest innocent social media users’ personal details.
So how can you protect yourself?
Ignore messages and friend requests from people you don’t know.
Check your privacy settings to make sure strangers can’t see your date of birth, phone number or other personal information.
Be careful not to share any memorable information publicly
3. Say ‘no’ to loved ones asking for money
Whatsapp scams are one of the easiest to fall victim to. Scammers might pretend to be a family member stuck in a desperate situation. The messages might even look as though they’ve been sent from your loved one’s number.
I was contacted by such a scammer a few months ago. I asked them a series of questions to confirm their identity. It was scary how much they knew! It wasn’t until they said they were in London (I knew otherwise) that my suspicions were confirmed.
Protect yourself by being suspicious of any requests for money. If your children or grandchildren do ask to borrow money from time to time, tell them that family loans and financial gifts must be discussed in person. If they live overseas, video calls may have to suffice — but don’t be afraid to end the call if anything feels ‘off’. Some scammers are even using apps and ‘deepfake’ technology to make themselves look and sound like peoples’ loved ones.
If you often send money to the same friend or relative, it can be a good idea to use the same bank details every time. If they say they’ve changed their account and you have any worries at all, get in touch with your bank before making a transaction.
4. Avoid clicking links in texts or emails
If you’ve received a text or email claiming to be from your bank, energy company, or broadband provider, avoid clicking any links within it.
Clicking just one link can install spyware on your device, allowing hackers to track your messages, accounts and login details.
Here’s what to do instead:
If you have an account with the company that supposedly contacted you, visit their website via your internet browser.
Log into your account to see if there are any notifications or messages that correspond with the suspicious text or email.
If not, get in touch with the company in question via the contact details on the website. They’ll confirm whether the correspondence is genuine or not.
5. Enable ‘two factor authentication’
Not as complicated as it may sound, two factor authentication (or two-step verification) is simply a way of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts.
So instead of logging into an account using just your username and password, you’ll tell the website in question to send you a text, email or phone call to confirm that it’s you logging in.
That way, if a hacker tried to access one of your accounts remotely, they wouldn’t be able to gain access unless they had your phone too.
6. Be suspicious of unsolicited calls
If you have a landline, it can sometimes feel as though the only calls you receive are from scammers and sales people. This is intentional. There’s an assumption that landline users are more susceptible to scams because they might not be as tech-savvy as those who’ve grown up with social media and gadgets.
Scam callers can be surprisingly persuasive. They’ll often be friendly, well spoken and polite. They know how to convince people to part with their cash, so the best thing to do is to hang up.
If they’re claiming to be from your bank, contact your bank directly via the number on their website, a recent bank statement or your bank card.
Whether you receive a dodgy call, suspicious looking email or text from a ‘family member’ looking for money, don’t feel pressured or shamed into parting with your savings. Scams can be convincing these days, but by following the steps above, taking your time, and confiding in someone you trust, you can often avoid falling victim to such a con.