The Ultimate Guide to Protect Yourself From Online Scams

Protecting yourself from cyber attackers and scammers is essential in today’s digital world. Whether you’re using the internet for shopping, banking, or social media, it’s important to stay informed about the latest tactics used by malicious actors. With this guide, you will learn about preventive measures and helpful tips to keep yourself protected from scammers online.

Understand the Different Types of Online Scams

There are a variety of online scams that malicious actors may use to target unsuspecting victims. These can include phishing attacks, malware infections, social engineering, and more. It is important to familiarize yourself with the different types of scams so you know how to recognize and avoid them. Researching each type of scam can help you develop an understanding of the various tactics used by scammers so that you can stop them before they attempt to attack your personal information or computer.

Phishing is a common scam that often uses deceptive emails to convince unsuspecting victims to click on malicious links. This type of attack is designed to infect a computer with malware or prompt the victim to enter sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. Malware infections are another common scam that can be used by attackers or malicious websites to gain access to personal information. Social engineering scams employ tactics such as impersonating customer support personnel in order to gain access to sensitive data and accounts. Understanding these tactics and how they work will help you recognize them when they appear and react quickly before falling victim.

Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are one of the most common types of online scams, and they’re designed to trick you into giving up personal information. To stay safe, always be suspicious of emails that ask for your personal information or contain any links to “verify your identity.” Don’t click on any suspicious links sent to you via email or online pop-ups. Regularly update anti-virus software and use spam filters to block malicious emails. If you think an email is a phishing scam, delete it immediately and alert IT security in your organization or contact internet fraud hotlines if necessary.

Additionally, take extra precautions when entering financial information online. Check to make sure the website is secure (have a padlock symbol and “https” in the address bar) before proceeding. It also helps to read customer reviews on trusted sites like Google or TripAdvisor. Do your research and read online forums to find out if other customers have been victims of scams from any particular site before divulging your personal or financial information.

Use Strong Passwords & Antivirus Software

Using a unique and strong password is the best way to protect yourself from malicious activity. Your chosen passwords should include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, such as “@#$” or “&*!.” Avoid common words and patterns that are easy to guess and update your passwords frequently. Installing trusted antivirus software on all your devices can help to protect you from online threats. It’s important to keep this updated so it can detect new threats.

Be Careful When Shopping Online.

Shopping online is convenient, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not careful. Before making a purchase online, make sure the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for secure icons such as HTTPS in the browser window, a lock icon nearby, or a “verified” logo on the website itself. This will ensure your financial and personal information are protected when making an online purchase.

When entering payment information online, be cautious of phishing scams where scammers will send emails or texts pretending to be from a legitimate company. Research the website and contact customer service to confirm the validity of the message before providing any personal or financial information. Additionally, never provide your credit card information or other sensitive details if you are asked in an email message or phone call, even from organizations you trust. Finally, always use strong passwords when logging into websites to further protect yourself from scammers. If you fear your BankSouth debit card has been compromised during an online transaction, contact our Customer Care team immediately.

Don’t Accept Offers That Seem Too Good to Be True

If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. If a website or email advertises a “free” item or extraordinary deal—for example, free airline tickets—but asks for payment upfront or for personal information such as your Social Security number, address, or credit card number, stay away. Legitimate websites usually don’t ask for this type of information upfront.

If you do see an offer that seems too good to be true, do some research. Look for reviews or complaints about the website or source offering the deal and consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Be aware that scammers also take advantage of popular events, holidays, and news stories by creating phony promotions associated with them. Be careful when clicking links in emails or on social media and when searching online for unusual deals—you might end up on a scam site instead of the legitimate website you’re looking for.

Our customers have recently reported various scams and fraud attempts. Learn more about them here and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to keep the conversation going.