Social Media Scams Can Be Avoided – A Tip Worth Sharing

It works like bait. Con artists disguise themselves in a friendly online chat, with an interesting post, with the offer of free downloads, or with a message suggesting that you view photos of yourself at a recent bash.

Fraudsters can be ruthless when it comes to devising new ways to rip people off and it appears social media and networking sites are the latest crime scenes. Anything and everything is up for grabs – and no one is immune.

Why is social media such a growing target?

Law enforcement officials tell us that wherever a site is known to attract a large number of visitors, it is also likely to attract the criminal element. With this in mind, be vigilant about who you communicate with online, how you verify their identity, and be extra cautious about what they are asking you to do. Never click on suspicious links, and never share personal or financial information unless you absolutely trust the person on the other end.

People lose millions of money every year from these kinds of vicious attacks, so be on the lookout at all times. If you or someone you know has fallen prey to an online scam, be sure to report it to the authorities. Doing so helps prevent others from experiencing the same invasion of privacy and loss of money.

www.newscanada.com