Phishing scams are becoming more and more intricate. This makes them harder and harder to detect. We are seeing employees and business management alike get caught by the latest round of phishing scams. In this article, we will share 8 scams that fooled a lot of people in 2022. 

8 Cyber Scams And How To Avoid Them

1. The Nigerian Prince Scam

You may have heard of the Nigerian Prince scam before. This is where someone pretends to be a wealthy prince from Nigeria who needs your help to access their fortune. They will often promise a percentage of the money as a reward for your assistance. Understanding that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, is the best way to avoid this scam.

2. The Fake Job Offer Scam

This scam usually starts with a fake job offer being sent to your email address. The offer may look legitimate at first, but upon closer inspection, you will notice that the company name is misspelled or the email address is from a free email service. The goal of this scam is to get you to provide personal information such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may also ask you to pay for training materials or a background check. Do not provide any personal information and do not pay for anything until you have verified that the job offer is legitimate.

3. The Phishing Scam

Phishing scams are becoming more and more common as they are very effective at stealing personal information. This scam usually starts with an email that looks like it is from a legitimate company, such as your bank or credit card company. The email will often contain a sense of urgency, such as saying there is an issue with your account that needs to be resolved immediately. The goal is to get you to click on a link that will take you to a fake website that looks just like the real thing. Once you enter your login information, the scammer now has access to your account. Be very careful about clicking on links in emails, even if they look legitimate. It is always best to type in the URL of the website yourself to be sure you are going to the correct site.

4. The Romance Scam

This scam usually starts with meeting someone online, often through a dating website. The scammer will gain your trust over time and may even talk on the phone or video chat with you to seem more legitimate. They will then start asking for money, often for a fake emergency such as being stranded in another country or needing help with medical bills. They may also send you fake documents such as a passport to make the story seem more believable. Do not send money to someone you have never met in person and be wary of anyone who asks for money early on in a relationship.

5. The Fake Charity Scam

With all the natural disasters and other tragedies in the world, it is understandable that people want to help by donating to charities. Unfortunately, some scammers will take advantage of this by setting up fake charities. They may contact you by email, phone, or even in person. They may also set up fake websites that look like legitimate charities. Do your research to make sure the charity you are donating to is legitimate. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints about the charity.

6. The Lottery Scam

This scam usually starts with an email or letter saying that you have won a lottery or other contest. Often, you will be asked to pay a fee to collect your winnings. Sometimes, the scammer will say that you have to pay taxes on the winnings. These scammers count on people being excited about the idea of winning a lot of money and not thinking critically about the situation. Remember, if you didn’t buy a ticket, you can’t win the lottery. Also, legitimate organizations would never ask you to pay a fee to collect your winnings.

7. The Tech Support Scam

This scam usually starts with a pop-up message on your computer saying that you have a virus and need to call a tech support number. The goal is to get you to pay for unnecessary services or even give the scammer access to your computer. Be very careful about any pop-up messages you see on your computer. If you are concerned about a possible virus, run a scan with your antivirus software. Do not call any numbers that are provided in the pop-up message.

8. The Fake Product Scam

This scam usually starts with an offer for a free or discounted product, often through an email or social media message. The goal is to get you to click on a link that will take you to a fake website. The website may look legitimate and even have reviews for the product. However, if you enter your credit card information to buy the product, you will likely never receive it. Be very careful about any offers for free or discounted products that you see online.

Falling for a scam can be embarrassing but learning from it is priceless.  For a small business falling for a scam can be devastating.  Help your staff understand what to look for.  Share this article and others to keep your team updated on the dangers lurking within their computer screens

Have you run into any of these scams? If you want to learn about cybersecurity for small businesses, give BL Technical a call at (410) 941-6164. We can help give you peace of mind!