Be wary of potential scammers

Many of us know that how many parents or grandparents approach the internet: either with extreme caution that is prohibitive to effective use or with in an overly relaxed manner that requires hours of uninstalling viruses and reformatting systems.

An although elderly folks are often associated with this approach, many of us who are not technologically savvy may walk voluntarily into traps of scammers or identity thieves. So what could you do or tell those in your life to help detect and avoid scams, virus, phishing, etc.? The answer is to watch for red flags that are common among most of these technological perils.

Here are some points to keep in mind.

Too good to be true

Just like anything in life, if you receive an offer that is too good to be true, it probably isn’t. There are no website that will just give you a free vacation without solicitation. Windfalls are very unlikely, and certainly won’t come in an poorly written email from a person you never heard of.

And although the internet makes many far-fetched hopes seem within reach, no one will pick you for a once-of-a-lifetime opportunity or new business idea that was never tried before. So keep your eye open and your scepticism alive, because these are your first line of defence.

Having said that, if you receive an offer or an opportunity that warrant further exploration, proceed with caution and investigate all of its aspects before you commit, divulge your personal information or transfer even a tiny amount of money.

Keep personal information safe

Unless you initiate the contact with a reliable source, site or contact, don’t give any critical information. What’s critical? It depends on your level of comfort and the potential sophistication of the personal on the other end. Anything from your address to your identity card number and date of birth can be critical to someone who is trying to steal your identity. Of course, information like your bank account number, password, pin codes and the like should never be shared. In fact, bank representatives never request them, even when you’re trying to change them.

Once someone seeks your personal information, you should immediately pause and re-evaluate the situation. On social media, a friend who comes with an unusual request for money should be a red flag. You have no obligation to continue messaging someone on social medial or respond to emails. If you detect suspicious activity, log out quickly and make sure you run a virus scan to ensure no malware has been installed on your system.

Don’t navigate too far

Banks won’t send you emails for transactions that you don’t know anything about. If you’re enrolled in online banking, you probably will receive confirmations of transactions that you’ve just completed and notifications that are either promotional or related to policy and rate changes. So if you receive an email that prompt you to change your password, accept a transaction or any other attractive deal, you should be careful.

What if it is a real email? If unsure, call you bank or visit your bank website. Just make sure you type the URL yourself, not to click on the one that you receive in the email. Either way, you should be able to get hold of bank representative who confirms the authenticity of the email.

Online banking and phone banking offer unmatchable convenience. While you don’t want to give up for fear of scammers, know how to use them. For example, be familiar with your bank URL and phone number. Don’t use alternative phone numbers or follow links from emails. Finally be aware of your bank’s alerts of scams and how to avoid being a victim of one.

Your goal should be to continue enjoying the convenience various technological platforms offer without risking your money or identity.