Computer fraud or scam is an illegal or malicious activity that uses technology to deceive users in order to obtain money or sensitive personal information. Computer fraud can take many forms, such as phishing, technical support scams, malware, gift card scams, lottery scams, email account hacking, and online market scams. Computer fraud can be very convincing and difficult to recognize, so it's important to take necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Here is few advices on common scams :

Government-Relief Funding Scam

Here are some tips to protect yourself from government relief funding scams:

1. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.

2. Never provide personal or financial information to dubious or unverified sources.

3. Verify the source of all funding offers before proceeding.

4. Never send money to receive a loan or government aid.

5. Check government official websites for information on available relief funding programs.

6. Be skeptical of advance fee requests to receive a loan or aid.

7. Talk to a financial advisor or fraud expert if you are uncertain about the legitimacy of an offer.

By following these tips, you can protect yourself from government relief funding scams and avoid losing money.

Romance Scam

Here are some tips to protect yourself from romance scams:

1. Be wary of requests for money or personal information from people you meet online.

2. Don't share too much personal information with people you meet online, especially if you don't know them well.

3. Be skeptical of online love stories that develop quickly.

4. Be cautious of requests for money for travel expenses, medical expenses, or money transfer fees.

5. Conduct online research on the person you're talking to to check if they are involved in criminal activities.

6. Talk to a friend or family member about your online relationship to get another perspective.

7. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

By following these tips, you can better protect yourself from romance scams.

Gift Card Scam

Here are some tips to protect yourself from gift card scams:

1. Never purchase gift cards from dubious or unauthorized sources.

2. Always check the expiration date and balance on the card before purchasing it.

3. Keep the serial number on the card protected from prying eyes.

4. Use gift cards immediately once you've purchased them to minimize the risk of them being hacked or used without authorization.

5. Be cautious of offers for free gift cards in exchange for your personal information or purchasing a product.

6. Never send funds to a stranger in exchange for a gift card.

7. If you notice unauthorized use of your gift card, report it immediately to the provider.

By following these tips, you can better protect yourself from gift card scams.

Lottery Scam

Here are some tips to protect yourself from lottery scams:

1. Lotteries will never ask you to pay to receive your prize.

2. Never give your personal or financial information to strangers.

3. Be suspicious of calls or emails informing you that you've won a lottery you never entered.

4. Research the lottery in question to determine if it is legitimate.

5. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a lottery, check with your local regulatory body or government authority.

6. Be cautious of offers to help transfer your winnings to your country in exchange for a fee.

7. Never send funds to a stranger in exchange for your prize.

By following these tips, you can better protect yourself from lottery scams.

Email Account Hack

Here are some tips to protect yourself from email account hacking scams:

1. Use a strong and unique password for each online account.

2. Enable two-factor authentication to enhance the security of your account.

3. Be cautious of emails or social media messages asking for sensitive information or passwords.

4. Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from suspicious sources.

5. Do not store sensitive information on your computer or mobile device.

6. Make sure your antivirus and antispyware software is up-to-date.

7. If you suspect your account has been hacked, immediately change your password and contact your email provider.

By following these tips, you can better protect yourself from email account hacking scams.

Online Marketplace Scam

Here are some tips to protect yourself from online market scams:

1. Don't purchase from sellers with a poor reputation or negative feedback history.

2. Be wary of abnormally low prices and too-good-to-be-true offers.

3. Never send money upfront for a product or service.

4. Check the return and refund policies before finalizing your purchase.

5. Make sure you are aware of shipping and handling fees before making your purchase.

6. Use a secure payment method, such as a credit card or online payment service, to make your purchases.

7. If you suspect a scam, immediately report the transaction to your financial institution and the online marketplace.

By following these tips, you can better protect yourself from online market scams.

Rental Scam

To protect yourself against rental scams, here are some steps to follow:

1. Research trusted rental sites: Use reputable rental websites like Plexflow, Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, or Craigslist to find listings.

2. Verify the listing and the owner/agent: Before sending any money, verify the listing and the owner/agent's identity. You can do this by checking the listing's photos and descriptions against other sources, and by contacting the owner/agent directly to ask for additional information.

3. Beware of requests for payment outside of the rental site: Scammers often request payment via wire transfer or other non-traceable methods. Never send money directly to an owner/agent outside of the rental site.

4. Check reviews and ratings: Look for reviews and ratings from previous renters to gauge the legitimacy of the listing.

5. Trust your instincts: If something seems too good to be true or if you feel uncomfortable with the rental process, trust your instincts and walk away.

6. Use a secure payment method: Use a secure payment method like a Plexflow with Vopay, credit card or PayPal, which offer some level of fraud protection.

By following these steps, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to a rental scam.

Updated on: 20/04/2025