Spending A Lot of Time Online Puts You At Risk

“Knowledge is power.”

By Joshlin Sheridan, Marketing —

If you spend a lot of time online, you put yourself at risk when it comes to scammers looking for easy money. Researchers surveyed more than 1,400 Canadians and Americans who were targeted y scammers and reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most did not engage with the fraudster, but 30% did engage to some degree. While 23% engaged lost money.

Separating non-victims from victims

“The path to victimization begins with engagement,” said FINRA Foundation President, Gerri Walsh. Social media and web scams are becoming more prominent. Each time you respond to an unknown person’s message or travel to an unfamiliar website, you run the risk of being scammed.

Scammers are becoming more intelligent and smarter in the ways they are cheating those falling for fraud out of their money. Widowed and divorced individuals are more likely to be scammed than those who are not married or widowed.

How can I protect myself?

1. Knowledge is powerful! Being aware of scammers and different tactics can be your best defense against these issues.
2. Focusing on your financial health. Persons under financial strain become susceptible to scammers.
3. Asking for help. Research companies or individuals who ask you for money. Search the organization or person online.

1/3 of consumers targeted by scammers did not engage since they were already aware of the scam. A lot of organizations, news outlets, and even police departments try to notify their citizens about fraud schemes going on. My local police department has a Facebook account and they write posts to warn citizens about scams happening locally.