Prevent online fraud from happening

1 in 20 people fall for online fraud according to a BBC news report. Users in the United Kingdom have lost lots of unnecessary money because of scams like these.

I once received an e-mail from what looked like a dying old lady, wanting to leave me millions. Before I was to receive the inheritance I needed to send them a copy of my passport and my banking details. I did not fall for this scam, but millions have. This took place two years ago and since then there have been new scams and online fraud that have cropped up from around the globe at a rapid rate.

People have gone as far as going to the process of sending in their passport or social security and banking details, but when no further e-mails arrive and no money either they would take a trip to the address, probably on the other side of the world, such as Nigeria only to find out it was all a scam. Learn how to prevent online fraud so you don't become a victim of this crazy criminal activity.

In South Africa some people are worried about the crime, especially in the more affluent areas, but I feel internet crime is something to be more concerned about. It is far easier to catch sight of a criminal breaking into a house. You can control this with patrol vehicles, but it is not as easy to control the amount of scams that go on in the online world.

Nigerian Scam

This is probably the biggest scam. It is also known as 419 Advanced Fee Fraud. A convincing e-mail is sent to the victim requiring money to be sent in advance in order to get their share and once they have paid the scammer will disappear.

Phishing scam

A Phishing e-mail is another dangerous email when there a link you have to click on which looks like a legitimate site, but in fact is set by a scammer. You will have to fill out a form, thinking it’s coming from your bank and filling in your personal details. This entitles the scammer access to your bank account and funds.You will definitely want to prevent this type of online fraud from happening.

Lottery Scams

Your e-mail was collected and drawn and you have won a million. You will have to make contact to claim your prize and fill in a form including your banking details and passport or identification. Scammers will now have access to all your details in order to steal your identity.

Health products and Diet Scams

The products don’t work, although the everything looks very convincing along with customer testimonials to back it up.

Discount Software Offer

You may think it’s a bargain and buy the product, which is promised to be delivered by the company in a couple of days only to find that nothing arrives and you have lost all of our money.

• Filter spam and don’t even open mail that you don’t where it is coming from
• Use your common sense and don’t jump to conclusions. Replying to these e-mails is the first step to disaster. These people are not pranksters, they are criminals.
• Be aware of attachments
• Don’t click links in emails
• Make sure security is high, such as having a firewall installed
• Install the best antivirus software and keep it up to date
• Recognize Spam eg. Get Rich quick