Thursday 12 May 2011

How To Not Get Scammed Online

The Internet is a valuable resource of information and opportunities. However, scam artists now use the benefits of the Internet to their advantage. It allows con men to reach millions of people all over the world and make it almost impossible to track down.

There are so many scams online. It’s tricky to sort through the legitimate opportunities from the fake ones because online scams have gotten so sophisticated. Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself from online scams.

1. Activate your mail filters. All email sites have a way of filtering spam. Let all the “offers” go directly to either your junk mail or your spam folder. Don’t bother to read them. You may get suckered into believing these sob stories or get rich quick schemes.
2. Stay away from pyramid and multi level marketing schemes. If you need to convince other people to join the bandwagon to make money, it’s a scam. Even if they have an actual product to sell, think about the usefulness of it. Would you actually need, buy or use one? The pyramid only work for those on top.
3. Don’t open email from unknown sources. Scam artists try a shotgun approach by sending out a barrage of emails hoping one or two will bite. Be especially wary of emails or messages from abroad and countries you’ve never even been to.
4. If you are selling a product online, be wary of offers that exceed the actual value of your product. Also, the buyer should be able to pay in the method that you request such as PayPal or a valid major credit card. Use a reputable auction or sell site.
5. If you are buying something online, search for products from reputable sites. Use a credit card that you specifically use for online transactions only. This will make it easier to cancel the card if there’s a problem and to track any unauthorized transactions. Check with your card what protection you have with regards to online purchases. As the buyer, be careful what you purchase online. Stay away from ridiculously low priced high-end goods such as designer watches and jewelry or electronics that you have no way of checking out. Don’t seize opportunities the first time you read about it. Take your time.
6. Stick with reputable auction sites such as eBay. These sites set up payment systems for the mutual protection of both buyer and seller. No guarantees are made on the products sold on any third party site so you still need to be vigilant.
7. Beware of products that are being sold at ridiculously low prices, such as brand new electronics at halt the price. If it doesn’t make sense, walk away no matter how good the deal sounds.
8. Never give your personal information online such as your social security number. Be careful with your credit card number. It’ a virtual world so if something goes wrong, how can you find the scammers?
9. Stay vigilant and informed of the current scams. There are several exposes on online scams that have been shown on TV shows and on major newspapers. These exposes reveal the modus operandi of the scam artists. Listen up because it might be done to you.

You are still your best protection against scammers. Be informed, be vigilant and use extreme caution. Use your common sense. Get real and think about it. If it sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is!

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