TIP(S): Avoiding Scams (Online & Offline)

A little about myself before I start (read as preface):

I have been working in the Transcription field for some 8+ odd years now and in various capacities. As all, I started with the basics and then transitioned to or ascended the corporate ladder and mover higher in rank and position wherein I met various people from mischievous characters to some hell bent on attaining gain for themself at any cost possible.

From what I’ve learnt over the years, I’m going to share my views and my limited wisdom with you all on how not to fall into or get yourself caught in scams or in the truest sense, be a victim of scam(s).

How it works (Read, the actual story)

A scammer is one who ply’s on someone’s weakness to gain profit or achieve personal satisfaction in what they do without regard for the other person’s feelings or situation the person is in. While some of the more non-destructive natured person (people involved) will be doing it just for fun or for kicks (like in alcoholic drinks, drugs, and the sort), some do it to gain quick money and the thought of cheating the other person at a very fast rate that they forget that, “What goes around, comes around.”

Some basic tips on how to avoid scams and to be alert when you see such things in your daily lives and how to be more apprehensive (Read, quick to understand) the concepts involved and how to out maneuver the scammer.

TIP # 1:

Before you actually get into parting ways with your hard earned money and regretting at a later point in time with the actions you had previously taken, spend some time searching online on search engines (Google, Yahoo!, Bing) about the concerned person or website. You can do a simple search by adding the word “scam” or “fraud” with the person’s/website’s name. It can even be used to check the authenticity of a particular concept, for example, if the site is abc.com then type abc.com+scam in Google and click search.

You can also check or search for a concept or technique, like, “Emu Farm+Scam” or “Emu Farm+Fraud”. You can easily verify and check the truth behind the website or person. Also, keep yourself appraised on the latest news in papers and TV where some of the scams come to light on a near daily basis.

TIP # 2:

Another major factor that is evident when scammers/fraudsters work is they ask for money. Be it in the way of commission, royalty, client-agreement signing costs, security deposits, or any other method to offer you a job/client/exponential returns are definitely fraudsters/scammers.

Why would a person(s) offer you something exponential (read huge) without any profit for themselves and if this was true, why are they not putting in their own money and why are they not investing with this scheme.

Another major thing that distinguishes the scammers/fraudsters is that they act as commission agents and do not do any work themselves. Agreed, there are genuine people in this bunch, but 99% of these are scammers/fraudsters.

TIP # 3:

In the current era of digital communication, we are mostly online and are members of online websites/forums and get to know many people who are fraudsters/scammers and another advise would be not to follow any email or website blindly. Use your God-given gift (read brain) and use common sense.

THINK!

Can anyone give you such huge amounts of money or rewards for the work he is getting done by you?

Why are they not doing it themselves, as there is much money involved here?

Is he himself/herself investing in this scheme or idea to make money?

Most scammers/fraudsters do not and only show some random website or a website which is fake of which they are a member and are earning handsome amounts of money.

TIP # 4:

There are many emails that we receive and it depends on which email service provider we use. Personally, I’ve been using Gmail over the past 9+ years and whenever I get time I read online articles on how to use it in a more efficient manner.

I am personally satisfied with Gmail’s SPAM filters and most of the time I do not get SPAM mails as Gmail takes care of it. But there are instances where one of two emails slip through in a month and reach my inbox.

On these occasions/instances I make these emails as Spam, and they promptly end up in my spam folder and the next time they come they automatically go there without my intervention.

Some of the major scam emails are related to lottery, Viagra, free gadgets, lonely girly to hook-up with, huge amounts of money to transfer from some deceased person in a foreign country and now it has begun to be coming from banks in one’s own country.

TIP # 5:

NEXT, the biggest step of all, inform others, especially family.

Do not hesitate to share your victimization with your friends and family so that they don’t get victimized in the future. Also, confide in someone like your parents/wife/husband other family members so that you will get the support and guidance from them.

Family is always first.

Image Source: FreePik

[ABOUT: Devesh Prabhu is an avid blogger and has been blogging posts and rants on many subjects through his various blogs. He has been associated with the blogosphere for the past 8/9 years and inadvertently left the blogging scene albeit to concentrate on his personal life, but his desire to be among his readers brought him back.]

[NOTE: The article "TIP(S): Avoiding Scams (Online & Offline)" first appeared on the "All About Profession Blog."

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