We’ve taken a look at four online scams that are coming our way this year and steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of them.
The Scam at the End of the World
A scam to watch out for in the New Year is the “Doomsday” phishing attack. Fraudsters are looking to capitalise on scaremongering reports that the world will end in 2012, based on a Mayan legend made popular in the disaster film “2012.” Consumers will need to watch out for suspicious emails that could claim to know details about the date the world will end, instead pointing to a website containing malware. Knowthenet.org.uk advises consumers to be very wary of claims of foresight like this, and beware the risk of malware, avoiding any links or attachments enclosed in this sort of email.
The Olympic temptation
As the countdown to the 2012 Olympics games draws nearer, those not lucky enough to have got their hands on tickets will be scouring the internet in the hope that some website will become available online. As a result, knowthenet.org.uk expects the number of fake ticket websites to increase dramatically. Fraudsters know consumers can often be all too willing to part with cash when they want something badly enough, so they will be creating websites to meet the demand with fake tickets. Remember: London 2012 Olympics tickets are only available from the official London2012 website where a list of authorised ticket resellers is available.
The Apple Appeal
The iPhone 4S is likely to be a “must-have” item in 2012, and as such many fake websites will be offering the phone at bargain basement prices in an attempt to lure consumers into parting with their hard-earned cash. As the economy gets tighter, and consumers start to feel the pinch after Christmas, it is often all too easy to fall for fake emails and pop-ups offering smartphones for a fraction of the cost. It is important to remember that if an offer looks too good to be true, it often is.
The Mobile App Threat
Smartphone users will need to be aware of potential viruses and malware when downloading apps. Consumers need to be especially aware and ensure that they do the necessary background checks before downloading any apps from “open” app stores, such as those running on Android. It is always worth checking an app developer’s website for authenticity, if in doubt about an app’s legitimacy. In addition, more and more iPhone users are becoming tempted to “jailbreak” their smartphone to remove restrictions on downloading, but this is always unadvisable – it leaves users open to malware threats and removes the security protection and the warranty provided by the manufacturer.
Our security expert, Peter Wood, says “Every year fraudsters use the most popular wish-list items and the current trends to try and scam consumers. Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated in the ways they target us and know how easy it can be to fall for a scam when they pick on something we really want to believe. Consumers need to ensure that they stay just as safe online, and maintain the same level of vigilance, as they would in the offline world.”
Top tips for staying safe and avoiding internet scams:
- Google the website or business name, verify whether it is registered on the companies house website and also check on forums to see if others may have fallen victim
- Check your computer has a firewall and anti-virus software installed
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date
- Look for sites that are part of independent approval schemes
- Make sure that the address of the web page starts with https:// before entering any personal information or payment details
- Check your bank and credit card statements carefully and report any unfamiliar transaction
- Remember, if it looks too good to be true – it often is! Be careful before giving away any personal details
