A Guide to Spotting & Avoiding Online Dating Scams Online dating has become incredibly popular. According to a study from Pew Research Center in 2023, three in 10 U.S. adults have used dating sites or apps. That number, when focused solely on those under the age of 30, grows to 53%. Although nearly 70% of individuals on these sites find exclusive romantic …
A guide to spotting & avoiding online dating scams Being scammed online can leave you feeling shocked, vulnerable, and overwhelmed — but you’re not alone. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to online scams in 2023, an increase of 22% from the previous year. While discovering you’ve been targeted can be scary, knowing …
The 5 most common scams & fraud attempts targeting seniors In recent years, fraudsters have increasingly targeted senior citizens with sophisticated scams. In fact, the amount of elder fraud reported to the FBI in 2023 increased by 14% from the previous year. These elderly scams can be detrimental. Americans over the age of 60 lost a total of $3.4 billion to …
Think you’ve won an amazon gift card? Here’s how scammers reel you in The rise of online shopping has made Amazon gift cards an increasingly attractive target for scammers. These bad actors have mastered the art of manipulating victims through Amazon gift card email scams, using malicious social engineering tactics to separate people from their money. According to the Federal Trade Commission …
Examples of phishing: emails, texts, phone calls, and payment apps Phishing is a prevalent form of online fraud where cybercriminals attempt to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. As the name implies, these scammers are fishing for information, be it credit card numbers, bank account details, or social security numbers. And, unfortunately, they’re common and highly effective. In 2023, nearly 300,000 …
AI and deepfakes: new tools being used by online fraudsters & how to protect yourself AI scams have become a growing threat to consumers worldwide. With generative AI becoming widely available to the general public, online fraudsters are now able to produce incredibly convincing fake content that can deceive even the most cautious individuals. Needless to say, this represents an …
11 fraud prevention tips & strategies to protect yourself from online scammers With more and more interactions and transactions occurring online rather than face-to-face, it’s more important than ever to know how to avoid being scammed online. The digital world, in particular, is experiencing a surge in online fraud. In fact, the FBI reported a 10% increase in fraud complaints from 2022 …
How to report a scam website Spotted a scam website? Don’t just scroll by — report it! By taking a few seconds to flag a fake site, you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re helping others avoid losing money, sharing sensitive information, or becoming victims of identity theft. Reporting also gives authorities and watchdogs the power to shut these sites down …
How to check if a website is legitimate: simple ways to verify online safety The internet has made life easier in so many ways, but it’s also created opportunities for scammers and hackers. One of the biggest threats out there? Fake websites are designed to trick unsuspecting users into sharing sensitive information, downloading malware, or making fraudulent payments. These fraudulent …
The 5 most common types of online fraud: how to spot them before it’s too late The internet has brought unparalleled convenience, but it has also opened the door to a growing number of online scams. Cybercriminals are constantly devising new tactics to steal financial information, personal data, and more. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans …