If you are using the web for business or personal use, you
are exposed to technology where you could be defrauded. Consequently, you may
be subjected to monetary loss. These fraudsters adopt a variety of methods to
rob people of their money. If you are unaware of the potential fraudulent
methods, there is every possibility of falling victim to any of these tactics.
And, in that case, you have to report cyber fraud to the appropriate
authorities. The following are specific instances of frauds and suggestive precautionary
steps to prevent the same.
1.
Employment/ Business Opportunities
● Be alert, in case the effectiveness
or utility of any product or service is exaggerated or inflated
● Be alert, if the opportunity offered
is claimed to yield exaggerated earnings or profits
● Smell a rat, if money is asked as
advance towards cost of products or for the instructions or guidance for
carrying the business
● If the job posting requires no
experience, it is a sign to report cyber fraud.
● If you are interacting with your prospective
employer for the first time, don’t give your social security number
● Take particular care if you are
dealing with individuals, residing outside your country
● If you receive unsolicited emails,
offering opportunity of working from home and making huge earning in a month;
be sure, it is fraud and report cyber fraud to the appropriate authorities
● Contact the Better Business Bureau
for determining the legitimacy of the company, offering the opportunity
● Research well, on the internet to
confirm the authenticity of the company
2.
DHL/UPS
● If you find individuals, using the
logo of DHL or UPS, in email communication, be alert
● In case you are asked to transfer
money before delivery of goods, smell a rat
● DHL & UPS do not collect payment
from customers, directly
● Charges of DHL or UPS include, only
the shipping costs and not for costs related to online transactions
● Contact DHL or UPS and get confirmed
about the legitimacy of the communication received through email.
3.
Identity Theft
● Be sure that before submitting your
credit card number, the website is secure
● Make online research to be sure that
the website or the business is authentic
● Instead of relying and communicating
on PO Box or Maildrop, try to get a physical address
● Don’t throw away, bank statements or
credit card statements in usable form
● Missed bills could indicate that your
account number has been taken over. Therefore, be aware of them
● In case you are asked to provide your
personal information, like social security number, be cautious, lest you are
defrauded, in which case you have to report cyber fraud.
● Don’t pass on your credit card number
over the phone, before making a call, yourself
● Keep a track of all transactions,
noted on your monthly credit statement and if you find any fraudulent activity,
report to your bank
● If you find any unauthorized
transactions on your bank or credit card account, report the same to your bank
or credit card Company, immediately.
