BEWARE of Internet Scams!
There will always be someone trying to scam (con) you out of money, passwords or anything else they can think of to get from you. The emails or websites may look official.
Most of us click things without thinking. Links can be deceiving. Some people do not realize that a text link, even if it shows the complete url, may actually go to a completely different location.
Example: Here is a link. http://www.crosswinds.net
You see a Crosswinds link. Does it really go there? Hover your cursor over the link. Look to the bottom left (usually) of your screen. A little text box will show you where the link goes. This one actually goes to Google.
Tips to keep in mind when you receive emails that want to scare you or trick you.
- For truth in emails or things you may hear, check out Snopes website. http://www.snopes.com/
- Don’t click links in an email. Go to your actual login/account page associated with said email and check it out from that end.
- As in above Crosswinds/Google example, hover over a link and see what the link really where the link goes. (Still be cautious and don’t click links, there are scripts that can fake this also.)
- Send an email to a friend or associate that you know deals with or uses the item/site in question. Ask them about it.
- Never reply to scam emails. If you are skeptical or know it is a scam, never reply even to complain. They will use your reply to try and scam you more.
- Never reply to, nor click on, ‘please remove me’ links. This lets them know for certain you read the email, and they will now send you many more. The only time to click on the ‘unsubscribe’ is when you are unsubscribing from a newsletter or something you are long familiar with.
- Emails that say Dear your_email_address, are scams. Companies that you give your email address to will email you by name.
- Your bank, finance institution, web host, Facebook, Twitter, Live Journal administrators will never ask for your password in an email. The same goes for any online game you or your family use.
- Many times scammers will preface their email with Re: and try to make you think that you and they have been in contact already.
- “Googling” can provide many websites per search. It will also produce potential “scam” sites that are counting on your not paying attention. When you will be giving personal or financial information, you are better off typing in the known address from your records.
- Don’t blindly accept an unfamiliar email at face value, unless you totally sure that you are dealing with a legitimate person or company.
- If it is too good to be true, BEWARE!
Latest Scams Encountered
- Domain Name Scam – A Crosswinds specific scam email that was sent to some members.
- Common Scams – Examples and how to protect yourself