Beware! Scam is a Form of Fraud, Here are 4 Signs
Beware! Scam is a Form of Fraud, Here are 4 Signs
The pandemic era is the time when digital activities have become widespread, including learning, working, and shopping. All the ease and convenience have become reasons for people to engage in digital activities. However, the ease and convenience are sometimes exploited by unscrupulous individuals, one of which is scam. In short, scam is a form of business crime in the digital world.
As digital users who often engage in online activities, crimes like scam should be watched out for. This is because such crimes can occur anytime and anywhere. To understand this behavior, learn carefully how scams work and tips to avoid them.
Definition of Scam
Scam is an English term. When translated into Indonesian, scam means fraud. Activities that fall under scam include deceiving to obtain funds or valuables from victims. The person who commits a scam is called a scammer. Scammers can work individually or in groups. Their fraudulent activities take the form of phishing, prize scams, donation scams, and the like.
Signs of Scam
There are several signs of scam activities that you should be aware of:
1. Claiming to be from a Large Organization or Institution
One common activity of scammers is claiming to be from large organizations or institutions. For example: e-commerce platforms, banks, hospitals, and even governmental agencies.
2. Offering Prize Information or Troubles
Scammers often provide information about prizes. Sometimes they promise prizes worth tens to hundreds of millions of rupiah. Then, you are asked to transfer a certain amount of money as proof of down payment. There are also scams in the form of troubles, such as a family member's accident. You are asked to transfer a certain amount of money as compensation. Such things should be treated with caution.
3. Urging Immediate Action
One behavior that should be watched out for is being urged to act immediately. If you delay, for example in claiming a prize, it will be transferred to another recipient. They usually act quickly without giving a clear reason.
4. Providing Instructions to Pay in a Certain Way
The fourth sign is still related to the third sign. The instructions made by scammers are for you to transfer money or go to a specific ATM to pay a certain amount. Another way you might encounter is scammers asking for your username, password, or PIN. If you are careless and then give it to them, they can easily access all your personal data.
Tips to Avoid Scam
Scammers will use any means to lure or deceive you. Therefore, you must be vigilant of all their actions. Here are four tips to avoid scam:
1. Ignore Those Asking for Personal Information via Email
Email is an important medium for scammers to obtain your personal data. Therefore, you need to be careful if you receive an email from an unclear address. If you have already opened it, never send personal information such as credit/debit card PINs or account passwords. To verify its authenticity, you can contact the bank.
2. Be Careful with Email Addresses
There are many email addresses on websites. You need to check the URL they provide. Of course, those using HTTPS are usually safer than HTTP. Also, check their domain ownership. If it looks unclear like Brick, you better ignore that email address.
3. Do Not Share OTP Codes
One thing you need to know is never share OTP codes with anyone. OTP codes are usually given by the bank to confirm your actions. Banks usually inform that the code should not be given to anyone.
4. Change Passwords Regularly
Another thing you can do is to change passwords regularly. Passwords are usually needed to access applications. Since you are used to using your phone, it's better to change it regularly, at least every three or six months.
After understanding the definition and tips to avoid scams, it's best to be cautious in transactions. To ensure safe and smooth transactions, Brick is here to provide convenience and effective data management.
If you want to build a product that can make a real impact on people's lives, Brick offers business solutions for you.
