There are lots of people today looking for job opportunities online simply because companies are trying to do cost-cutting measures taking out redundant employees or forced to shrink their workforce. Unfortunately, not all job postings are legitimate. There are instances when you will deal with scammers out there. On the other hand, there are also posts where people are duped into giving too much information only to realize that they’ve become victims of
What are the ways on how you can spot online fraud? Here are some tips that might come in handy.
Don’t give money in exchange for work or a much larger payday
There are lots of people who would pay a random stranger online. Perhaps, it is out of sheer desperation. Some are giving funds to people who are offering them an opportunity to work. Or sometimes, it comes in a form of email where you are told that you won a prize but to be able to get the item, you have to pay for the shipping. These are classic scams that people fall for.
Unfortunately, the stories to get money from victims become more elaborate. But as a rule of thumb, never give money in exchange for a job or prize.
Use a Trustworthy Platform
Another important rule is to never use a platform that allows even a bit of anonymity. If you are going to apply for a job, go for a platform like Upwork that tends to screen freelancers and clients. This will allow you to know who you are working with. Plus, you get a platform that tends to build the ground rules for your transactions.
If you are going to get hired via a freelancing platform, they can also serve as your escrow that can hold the money until both parties agree.
Don’t just give info about yourself
A lot of people tend to give their email and their name to anyone. This should never be the case because not only can they use your data, it is also possible to use your identity and create a fake profile. Birthday and pet names may seem like harmless inquiries but this could backfire. You’d be surprised by the number of people who used these questions as their security questions to retrieve/change their password. Once this information about yourself, it is not far from the possibility that they can access your emails and even your bank account.
Don’t buy from a dodgy website
Not all websites are safe. A lot of people tend to buy from small entrepreneurs to help them stay afloat. However, you also need to make sure that you are not going to give your credit card information to anyone. You want to have a secure website. The only way to do it is by checking if the start of the website is “https” rather than “http”. Next, you also want to read the reviews too.
Getting duped online is something that can happen to anyone. Some of the scams tend to be intricate that some people believe it. Follow these tips to not let yourself become a victim.
