There are countless numbers of different scams around the world nowadays. With developed technology, it is straightforward for them to access anyone and drag them in to a scam. As the scams are causing a dilemma to the society, we definitely need to be aware what kinds are there, to prevent it from troubling us. Various types of scam are:
1) Banking and online account scam
This scam aim to steal your private account information and your money. It can look and sound like a real thing: where they promise to take only a set amount. But there are ways of picking up on the warning signs so that you don’t lose out. There are ways for the scammers to do this:
-They might send you a phishing e-mails or mails (fake), usually pretending to be from banks or other financial institutions. They make up some convincing reason for you to give your account details and then use those details to steal your money.
-Otherwise, they use ‘phoney fraud alerts’. This is when the scammers pretend to be from your bank and tell you that there is a problem with your account. They ask for your account details to protect your money, but then use these details to rob you.
-There are many types of scams that all aim to steal your credit card details, either by taking the card itself or by tricking you into giving them the card’s details. Once they’ve got the credit card in their hand, then it’s obvious what they’re planning to do.
-Card skimming is very hard to notice before you find out that large amount of money has been taken out of your account. It is the illegal copying of information from the black magnetic strip of a credit or ATM card. This definitely has a potential to create a fake or cloned card with YOUR details on it.
2) Mobile phone scam
Scams that come to you through your mobile phone can be difficult to recognise. They might come from somebody who talks as if they actually know you; perhaps disguising themselves as member of your family or a close friend. You might be offered free ring tones or the chance to win free tickets to a celebrity’s concert. When you reply to these messages or calls, they are most likely to press you a huge phone bill. If you have actually received these, the best action you can take would be to delete the message and ignore the call from unknown number.
-Ring tone scams are the most common and it seems to target the teenagers the most; since they are very sensitive about the latest popular songs. However, when the scammers offer ‘free’ or ‘cheap’ ring tones, it will end up being a subscription or premium rate service.
-Many people hasn’t realised that missed calls and text messages from unknown numbers can actually lead to premium rate charges. If you are foolish enough to reply them, you will be left with an enormous amount of bill.
-If you own a mobile phone, you will receive SMS competition scams every now and then. You are encouraged, almost forced, to enter a competition you haven’t even heard of, over SMS for an amazing prize- but of course, it will cost you heaps of money to take a part.
3) Health and medical scam
These scams intend to make money by exploiting those of who have a medical condition or who are worried about their health. The scammers offer them the solutions or cure which are non-existent. Like the other scams mentioned earlier before, health and medical scams has a high potential of costing you a lot of money. However, the horrible part is that they also can do significant damage to your health as well. Few kinds of this scam follows:
-Miracle cures scam has already been pointed out and it preys on the sick person by selling drugs or treatments that are disqualified or dangerous.
-Weight loss scams are false claims made to lead you into purchasing so-called ‘revolutionary’ pills, creams, diet advice or even machines which might cause adverse affect.
-Fake online pharmacies offer prohibited drugs and medicines at very cheap prices without a prescription. They can cause you major health and money problems.
4) Job and employment scam
This scam target people looking for a new job or a change of job. Aiming to target those, the scammers promise a lot of income for very little work. To convince them more, they even guarantee it. Everyone should be careful of someone who uses emails or ads posted in the street to employ people. Their only interest lies in your money. As you might be aware, there are a range of scams marketed as business opportunities opened to everyone of the public. They promise success but usually only the promoter-the scammer- makes any money. Another scam, which some people fall into; you should never transfer any money for someone else under any circumstances, especially if you do not know them. If you agree to do so, you are practically giving permission to the scammers to use your bank account. This puts you and your money to a very fragile situation where not much can be accomplished.
5) Small business scam
Scams that target small business can come in numerous numbers of forms: from bills, advertisement, directory listing which you’ve never ordered, dodgy office supply offers and false claims of government requirements needing you to send money urgently. In all business, you must have fax, especially to make it easier and efficient to carry on information. This is where the scammers take advantage of. Forged faxes offer great deals on products, entry into some competitions or huge discounts. If you ignore it, there will be no problem whatsoever. But if you reply it, the high cost would be buried in the bill or not provided at all, thus meaning that you won’t be aware of realise the reason why you have to pay such a high bill.
6) Dating and romance scam
Scammers can be thought as cowards because they pretend to be someone they aren’t and they stab you in the back without acknowledging you. Yet, these people are inventive and creative. It is absolutely amazing what ideas they design to trick you. The following scams are only some of the commonly used scams:
-Psychic scammers claim that you are in danger or predict your future ahead of you and the obstacles which will block you from your goal. Then they offer you a solution which actually sounds pretty tempting. However, since the scammers aren’t the real psychics, they seemed to prefer to stay in the safe zone; where you only reveal winning lottery numbers or a lucky charm- for a heavy fee.
-Dating and romance scam has brought lot of people into the misery and despair. The scammers exploit your romantic side through expensive dating services and then threaten you for bulky charge.
7) Lottery scam
A typical lottery scam tends to begin with an unexpected e-mail which announces that “You have won!” an enormous amount of money in a lottery and that all you have to do is just to send them little money to claim the prize. Rather than winning a desirable prize, there’s more possibility of you loosing a fortune. Therefore, you should never send any money to you do not know of and your banking details shouldn’t be told to anyone, but only to yourself.
