An online scam is a deception carried out over the internet to steal money or information. Criminals mimic banks, merchants, delivery firms or friends, then pressure targets to act quickly. They exploit trust, urgency and confusion, using emails, texts, adverts, marketplaces, and social media. Basic website security checks, scepticism, and slow, deliberate actions are your best first defences.
Common Tactics
Phishing emails and texts steer people to lookalike sites. Fake shops list goods they never ship. Romance scams invent emergencies, investment cons promise guaranteed returns. Tech support pop-ups demand remote access, and refund overpayment and rental lures are common.
Red flags include payment by gift cards or crypto, off-platform messaging, spelling errors, and accounts with thin histories. Verify by using contact details from the organisation’s own website, not any links provided.
How to Spot and Avoid
Cross-check URLs and certificates. Turn on multi-factor authentication, patch devices, and use a password manager. Compare merchants with Companies House and returns policies. Run website security checks on your own site to reduce impersonation risk. Never pay upfront fees or grant remote access unless you initiate contact.
For anyone interested in learning more about website security checks, consider reaching out to an expert such as https://www.etempa.co.uk/website-security-checks.
If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
Disconnect, change passwords, and contact your bank immediately to try to stop payments. Report texts to 7726 and forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Save screenshots and transaction IDs, and alert the platform. Freeze compromised accounts, enable MFA, and monitor credit files. Finally, tell friends and colleagues so they can avoid the same trap.
