Top 5 online frauds in India
The Internet has made the world a smaller place. A person can easily communicate with anyone in the world but have you ever wondered about your safety on the internet?
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| Image source: Pexel |
Do online frauds and Internet scams haunt you too?
“We are all now connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain”
-Stephen Hawking
The world is digitizing rapidly, In just two decades of its introduction to the public, it has transformed our lives completely. Social media, internet banking, emails, online shopping, and many other crucial things we rely on the internet but have you ever thought about the security of your information and data on the internet.
Is the internet secure?
Are online frauds a reality?
Sadly it is not that safe and secure. The internet is prone to hackers and fraudsters, online frauds are becoming common with each passing day. In the last decade, Online frauds have lead to a loss of more than ₹615.39 crores in India.
Many of us have faced online fraud in reality. Online frauds are becoming the dark side of the internet and to avoid it the first thing we need to do is to be aware of them.
Here are different types of Internet scams to make you aware of online frauds:
Social media and fraud
Social has been a great source of entertainment for us but being on social media we expose ourselves to the world. Our accounts on social media can expose a lot of information about ourselves to others.
We often confide in strangers we met online. The dating apps, matrimonial sites, different websites ask for several pieces of information from us. The revelation of so much data can be a big threat. Being active on social media is no harm but we should always be careful.
Do’s
- Stay updated with the privacy policy of the app.
- Keep changing your passwords.
- Do not fake things just to impress someone.
- Do not give too much importance to these apps, keep your inner peace at the no 1 on your priority list.
Don’ts
- Don’t connect with people who make you uncomfortable.
- Don’t share excessive details about yourself on the internet.
- Stay away from negativity.
- Don’t share your id password with anyone.
Charity fraud
Generosity and kindness are appreciable qualities but if we avoid being careful then all your generosity can go in vain. Charity frauds have become a common means for fraudsters to easily access money.
You donate money for a good cause but is the money going in the right hand? Or the cause behind the donation is fulfilled?
We need to be careful while donating and be aware of the non-existent charity.
Do’s
- Collect as much information you can about a charity before donating money to it.
- Ask questions and enquire about the process and way money will be used.
- Look in authorized sites for information about the charity or contact other people involved in it.
Don’ts
- Never share card or bank details with a charity
- Don’t give too much money which you can’t afford
- Be careful about donations and charity you give on social media.
Online shopping fraud
Online shopping has been a boon to us in the pandemic, but it also leads many of us into the trap of fraud. Fraud in online shopping is increasing with the number of online shoppers. Some buy fake products or some pay for the products that they never receive.
Being careful during online shopping is very important to be a safe shopper.
Do’s:
- Read terms and conditions, return and exchange properly before ordering something.
- Pay with your online wallet instead of using a card or bank account.
- Register an FIR in a police station or in a cyber cell.
- Report fake online stores to National Consumer Helpline (NCH) by dialling 1800-11-4000 or 14404.
Don'ts
- Don’t trust social media deals blindly
- Avoid the payment if the payment gateway is not secure
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for cash transactions.
Credit/debit card fraud
We all have once received a call congratulating us for a lottery win or prize money and asking for our bank details and credit card details. If you have successfully avoided this then congratulate you are a smart person.
But if you don’t know how to handle such phone calls and scammers then don’t worry I am here to handle your problems. Just go through all the do’s and don’ts for such cases and remember one important thing: never share your card details with anyone on the phone or message, not even with your family members because not all calls and messages are secure, someone can hack your calls and get the info while you will be sharing it with your family members.
Do’s
- Check your monthly statements properly.
- Always seek professional help in credit card-related matters.
- Check the bill twice before paying for it.
Don’ts
- Never ever share your card details with anyone.
- Avoid using cards everywhere, use your online wallets.
- Don’t avoid calls for fraud protection.
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Work-from-home scam
Lockdown has led to the new norm of working from home. Working from home is a comfortable and preferred option by many. We all look for WFH jobs, but many get scammed by many.
Fake companies or people call and ask for security money in return for the assurance of the job or laptop or any other asset. Don’t fall for such calls. Many companies never ask for security, and if someone does there are high chances that you will lose the money.
Do’s
- Always cross-check the details of the company.
- Look for the reviews of the company from verified accounts.
- Be careful of phishing attempts.
Don’ts
- Don’t give any security money
- Look for any suspicious signs in the company or their job description or their way of communicating.
- Avoid opportunities you find on social media or in an ad.
