5 Ways to Avoid Internet Scams!
It was stress compounded.
It seems as though the number of emails I’m getting that are ready and waiting to solve my every problem have increased dramatically. Am I wrong? Emails abound from an undisclosed source with a “too good to be true” subject line and only one thing in the body of the email — a clickable link. DON’T click on the link! You could be scammed.
In times like these, scammers are working overtime. Don’t get sucked into every interesting headline that makes enticing promises. If you’ve never heard of the source, it is well worth your time to check it out. Here are five things you can do to avoid Internet scams.
1. Make sure the message comes from a legitimate source. Assuming there is a website listed, check out the About page to see if it sounds legitimate. They should have a working contact page that gets you a response when you submit a question. Google them for reviews. Look for complaints from the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission.
2. Use a password manager. Of course, you know not to use “password” or “1234” as passwords to sites where you have accounts. But are you guilty of creating a clever password that’s easy for you to remember and using it over and over? Bad idea!! Identity theft is always a threat when you use simple or reused passwords online. If you don’t need to access passwords on multiple devices or within the family, there are free password manager apps that will store your passwords for you and help you create secure passwords that are more difficult to hack.
I always rely on Consumer Reports and their reviews for password manager apps was a little surprising. They checked for data privacy, security and usability. Their top-rated app just happens to be the one I’ve used for several years now — 1 Password. I have hundreds of passwords, so a password manager is a must. Currently, 1 Password is $60/year for families when billed annually or $36/year for an individual.
Rounding out the top four password managers as reviewed by Consumer Reports are: Keeper Password Manager, Bitwarden Free and Families, and LastPass Free and Premium. Most offer free trials.
The Consumer Reports ranking of password managers showed an 18-point difference between the top-rated 1 Password and the following three. In fact, the only “Recommended” password managers were 1Password, Keeper, and Bitwarden.
3. Be careful of phishing scams. Scammers often send legitimate looking emails that include logos of reputable companies. However, if you are asked to verify personal information in an email, you can be sure it’s a scam. No reputable company will ask you to submit personal data through an email. If you get an email that says “we’ve been trying to reach you”, do not click on it. If the email indicates it is from a company with which you do business, contact the company through another method and inquire if they are in fact trying to reach you. Most likely, they are not. So, avoid giving personal data via an email to avoid being scammed.
4. Watch out for entering contests with enticing prizes. Although not every contest is a scam, some may be. If you enter a scamming contest, a bot will be downloaded that continually sends your personal information to other scams. Do some research about the contest before entering. Some are actually legitimate. I’m still expecting to be notified any time about winning the HGTV Dream Home!
5. Beware of offers that address current world or local circumstances. Some current scams include fake charities, online dating scams, lucrative work-at-home offers and fake prizes. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, you know the drill — it probably is too good to be true!
The entire world is in a vulnerable position right now. So, take your time and investigate offers that appear to be quick and easy solutions to common problems many people are experiencing. Staying safe involves more than getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and social distancing. It involves being alert and cautious about possible Internet scams. So, keep your distance and stay safe!
I’m Vicki Peel, a retired educator, blogger and low-content creator. As a former high school home economics teacher, I started H.E.R. Life Hacks to share my expertise in areas of home style, lifestyle, and food. H.E.R. stands for Home Economics Reimagined. Inner peace and self-care have never been more important than now. Download my free report, Self-Care Hacks at https://herlifehacks.com or check out my shop at https://SimpleSystemsforLife.com
