The Internet is perhaps the greatest invention of the modern world. With its power to connect people, it has changed the way people interact with each other. The Internet has brought many innovations and positive changes; however, it has also brought upon various negative changes. The Internet reaches a huge percentage of the world’s population, and scheming people try to capitalize on this. The Internet is rife with scams and cons.

As the number of people reached by the Internet grows, so does the amount of scams. Below, you will find ten of the more prevalent Internet scams released over the past few years. Read on to be aware.

1) The Rich Nigerian Scam: Help Me Use My Millions

You have probably received an email from a rich Nigerian woman asking for help from anyone willing to use millions her late husband’s dollars to build a good business. The stories vary, but the common theme is that a wealthy Nigerian is seeking for someone willing to be an instant millionaire. In every version, the scammer is looking for people willing to do small tasks in exchange for vast amounts of money. Of course, like other scams, the offer is too good to be true. Many people are still fooled by this scam, even though it is one of the most common on the Internet.

2) Lottery Scams: You Have (not) Won!

Many people believe in luck, and that they have a chance to win the lottery. Although playing the lottery can bring little harm, scam lotteries are a whole different thing. Internet lottery scams often fool the people dreaming to hit it big, quit their jobs, and retire with millions. Internet lottery scams work by sending emails or links for people to click on, claiming that they won a huge amount of money. There is, of course, a catch; before you can collect your winnings, you have to pay the processing fee that usually ranges from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. Do not fall for lottery scams! Remember, the moment they ask you for money, you have already lost the game.

(But there are other ways to Earn Your First Million in One Year.)

3) Make Money Fast—Yeah, Right!

‘Make money fast’ scams work by asking you to send money to the names on the top of a list, after which you will be asked to add your name at the end of the list. You then need to forward the updated list to a certain number of people. The more people you send the list to, the more money you will supposedly get. As with the snail-mail version of ‘Make money fast’ chain letters, the Internet version is just as illegal. Beware of such scams, as you can be charged for fraud.

4) Phishing Emails: Hacking Through Credit Accounts

Phishing is one of the most widespread Internet and email scams today. An identity and password theft through the use of emails and web pages, phishing can hack through line bank and credit accounts of unsuspecting victims. Phishers usually entice or frighten the account holder into visiting a phony web page, where they are then asked to enter their username and password for their credit account. Most phishers try to get such information by claiming that the victim needs to confirm his or her identity as soon as possible to prevent the account from closing, or from being hacked. The links for the fake web pages are usually sent through the email, so beware.

 

(Don’t be a victim of this, know How to get rid of  Email SPAM.)

5) Guaranteed Loan or Credit: After Paying Advanced Fees

Applying for loans is a tedious task that many people need to go through. Who would not want to apply for a loan and get approved fast? Be careful of guaranteed loans over the Internet, unless it is from a reputable company that you are sure is genuinely offering the loan. Be wary of emails that claim you have a pre-approved loan or a credit that you can claim after paying a small fee. Keep in mind that reputable companies do not charge fees during the application process.

6) Need Work? Avoid Employment Scams

You are among the millions of job seekers looking to find the perfect job through the Internet. One day you receive an email claiming that you have been accepted for a certain job post. But you first need to provide some personal information to your potential employers on a legitimate looking employment site. If you apply as soon as possible for the job, the scammer will usually offer you commission. So on you go, giving out your personal data and bank account information. When you finally realize you have been conned, they have already hacked through your account, so be careful.

7) Helping Victims by Being a Victim: Disaster Relief Scams

You cannot help but feel sorry for the victims of a natural disaster, so you do what you can to help them. Sadly, however, some soul-less people use these disasters to con other people. They will ask you to send in cash donations via the Internet. Many people fall for this, believing that they are helping those less fortunate than them. Scammers set up fake websites that supposedly aim to raise money through on-line donations for the victims of various disasters. In reality, the money raised only goes to their pockets. Beware of such schemes—use rational thinking over emotions before sending your donations.

8) Tour The World With Travel Scams?

Traveling to the best places of the world is something many people dream about. Scammers realize this and try to capitalize on it. Scams that promise to give you low airfare rates and the best deals on accommodations are prevalent during summer months. They usually send you emails that contain unbelievably low-priced offers to some exotic destination that you must book as soon as possible; otherwise, other people will grab it. So you hurry and give your credit account number, not knowing you have already been conned. Before giving out such valuable information, verify the offer first with reputable on-line travel agencies.

9) Need To Work From Home: Use The Internet!

Although there are legitimate offers that allow you to earn money by working at home with only your skill and the Internet as capital, there are also some that are just plain scams. Scams that promise to give you the opportunity to work from home will ask you to send money first before they give you the job. Reputable job pooling companies will never ask for money before giving you a job, so be sure to verify the information. You do not want to end up penniless, and jobless in cyberspace.

10) Items for Sale: But You’ll Never Get It

On line shopping is one of the top reasons people log on to the Internet. With the plethora of items for sale over the Internet, the hassle of going to shops and malls to buy what you need is taken care of. As on line shopping increases in popularity, so do the number of scammers out to deprive customers of a pleasurable on-line shopping experience. Before giving out your card number, or sending out money to purchase something on line, verify everything first.

So there you have it: the top ten Internet Scams of today. Should you encounter something similar, do not hesitate to close the browser window, or log off the Internet. It is better to be safe than sorry.

 

(You could avoid these anomalies by learning the Security Tips And Tricks To Protect Your Personal Data.)