Top 10 Scams in July 2024

Top Online Scams and How to Avoid Them

The internet is a big part of our lives, but not everyone online is trustworthy. Hackers and cybercriminals constantly try to trick us. Knowing about these scams and how to avoid them is the best way to stay safe. Here are the top online scams and how to avoid them.

1. Job Offer Scams

During the coronavirus pandemic, job offer scams became more common. In these scams, you get an email offering you a job, usually not in your field, like a mystery shopper. They pay you with a check for more than the agreed amount and ask you to send back the extra money. Later, you find out the check was fake, and you lose the money you sent back.

How to Avoid Job Offer Scams:

• Never cash suspicious checks without verifying them.
• Ask your bank to hold the funds until the check is confirmed real.
• Be wary if asked to send back the “difference.”

2. Lottery Scams

Lottery scams were the fourth most common scam in the US in 2020. You get an email saying you won a foreign lottery with a big prize. To claim it, you need to pay fees for insurance, taxes, or other costs. They also ask for personal details, leading to identity theft.

How to Avoid Lottery Scams:

• Be skeptical if the email is from a person, not a company.
• Check if you are the only recipient.
• Remember, if you didn’t buy a ticket, you can’t win.

3. Beneficiary Scams

You get an email from someone claiming to be a royal or a businessman needing to move money. They promise you a cut of the profits if you help. You end up making small payments for “fees,” but the money never comes.

How to Avoid Beneficiary Scams:

• Watch for poor grammar and spelling.
• Check if the reply address matches the sender’s.
• Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Online Dating Scams

Romance scams are increasing. You meet someone online who quickly shows strong emotions and asks for money or favors. They might use someone else’s identity to seem real.

How to Avoid Online Dating Scams:

• Be cautious if the relationship moves too fast.
• Never give money to someone you only know online.
• Tell someone you trust if you plan to meet an online contact in person.

5. Charity Fraud Scams

After disasters or public tragedies, scammers set up fake donation sites. They send emotional emails to solicit funds that never reach the victims.

How to Avoid Charity Scams:

• Research any charity before donating.
• Look for a robust website with a mission statement and tax-exempt documentation.
• Verify the charity using public databases like Charity Check or Charity Navigator.

6. Coronavirus Scams

During the pandemic, scammers created new scams, often variations of old ones:

• Fake charities asking for donations.
• Fake testing, vaccine, or treatment kits targeting personal information.
• Fake websites showing Covid maps but installing malware instead.

How to Avoid Coronavirus Scams:

• Check the legitimacy of charities.
• Never send money or personal information to unknown sources.
• Verify websites before clicking on links or opening attachments.

7. Repair Scams

You get a call from someone claiming to work for a big software company like “Microsoft,” offering to fix your computer issues. They send an email with a remote access program, allowing them to control your computer and install malware.

How to Avoid Repair Scams:

• Never accept unsolicited repair offers.
• Do not purchase repair services from unknown sources.
• Do not allow remote access to your computer.

8. Social Media Scams

Social media scams come in many forms:

• Quizzes that collect your data for identity theft.
• Fake friend requests with phishing links.
• Malicious apps disguised as legitimate ones.

How to Avoid Social Media Scams:

• Avoid quizzes and suspicious links.
• Be cautious with shortened URLs.
• Verify apps before downloading them.

9. Robocall Scams

If you answer the phone and hear a recording instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. Some robocalls provide useful information, but many are scams.

How to Avoid Robocall Scams:

• Hang up on suspicious robocalls.
• Don’t provide personal information.
• Use call-blocking features if available.