How to Spot a Scam – Before It’s Too Late!

Do you think you have the knowledge and instinct to spot a scam? While many of us firmly believe that we’d never give out our personal information or our bank details to a criminal, the number of victims falling for telephone scams, phishing scams, online shopping scams and other tactics is rising.

The elderly and the vulnerable are particularly at risk from these kinds of scams, especially when criminals apply complex tactics to gain trust or to confuse victims into inadvertently handing over their details. Including:

• Impersonating a well-known business or even government body/office
• Ask individuals to use specific websites that they’ve created or numbers
• Creating a sense of urgency and panic to pressure individuals into snap decisions
• Playing on emotions to get what they need

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most effective ways you can spot a scam before it’s too late. Read on to find out more.

Telephone Scams

Receiving persistent nuisance calls is something all of us experience. However, when those calls are done under the guise of a well-known and reputable business, that’s when these calls become dangerous. For example, instead of asking ‘who is this number’ when the phone rings, if the caller ID is listed as SKY you’ll be happy to answer it and speak to the caller on the other end. Worryingly, criminals can duplicate or spoof numbers pretending to be businesses we know and trust, which means it’s even more important to be extra vigilant and be aware of the following tactics:

• They’re asking for personal information about you
• They’re asking for your financial information
• They’re pressuring you into making a snap decision

Online Shopping Scams

We all enjoy online shopping, it’s easy, convenient and there’s a much better choice than our local high street. Unfortunately, criminals are aware of how much we rely on online shopping sites, especially during the festive period or when we’re looking for a bargain. Look out for these signs:

• The website isn’t secure and doesn’t display a padlock symbol
• Countdowns on the page are putting pressure on visitors to make a purchase
• The deal is too good to be true – it usually is!
• Payment pages are suspicious, directing you to different sites and aren’t secure

Puppy and Pet Scams

Bringing a new addition into the family home (of the four-legged variety) is a wonderful way to expand your family. One of the most popular ways to source a new pet is to head online and either search pet sale websites or classified ads on social media. Sadly, criminals play on the heartstrings of individuals who are looking for a cute puppy or kitten to bring home, only to find that they’ve been duped for huge amounts of cash and have nothing to show for it. Look out for these signs:

• Photos are stolen from other sites (you can check images via a reverse search on Google to check)
• The price of the puppy/kitten is too good to be true
• They won’t let you meet the puppy or show you its parents
• Costs are consistently mounting – unexpected vet fees, travel, insurance or customs costs
• They want cash or transfers. Always pay securely via credit card or Paypal!

Understanding these kinds of scams and the signs to look out for can keep you and your family safe from scammers.