How to Spot a Hoax or Scam

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By JanieWrites
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Taking Your Money and Running

Some people are easily duped into thinking something is real when it is not. You can use your critical thinking skills to recognize when you are being scammed or someone is trying to take advantage of you through some kind of elaborate hoax. There are many offers and opportunities out there that are perfectly legitimate; you just need to be careful when accepting them. Following are some tips that should help you steer clear of the scams and hoaxes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Be aware of big promises. You have all heard the phrase, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” right? There is a lot of wisdom in that statement. For example, if you get an offer that says you , too, can earn $5000 a month working part time out of your home, you might want to investigate that offer a bit further! Or how about an opportunity to buy a TV for $50 – NIB! (New In Box). Be aware, the box may be full of rocks or even a stolen TV!
Step 2

Watch out for the word “free.” Few things are truly free. There are thousands of ads that pop up on the Internet congratulating you because you just won a ‘free’ laptop, camera, whatever. Scroll down and read the fine print before clicking to the next screen. If there is a paragraph about ‘participation required’ and then a list of participation requirements (fulfilling two silver offers, three gold offers, etc.) use caution. The ‘offers’ that must be fulfilled will cost you – and in order to get the ‘free’ item, you may have to spend a lot of money.
Step 3

If you get an unsolicited email or letter that says you have won a prize or money, the best thing to do is delete or shred it. It is probably a scam. Be especially aware if you are asked to send money to get the prize delivered. Another version of this scam is to send you an email telling you that your new TV, laptop, camera, etc. is ready to be delivered, they just need your address, bank account number, etc. Again, delete these emails. NEVER give your personal information to anyone you do not know.
Step 4

Steer clear of high pressure tactics. If someone tells you that you have to buy whatever it is RIGHT NOW or the price will go up, be very suspicious. Take the time to think about your budget, reasons for purchasing the item, etc. If the deal is legitimate, it will be there tomorrow.
Step 5

Be careful when getting an email from a bank, credit card company, PayPal or other financial institution that says your account has been compromised and will be closed if you do not respond immediately with passwords and other personal information. Your bank will NEVER do this, neither will your credit card company or PayPal. If you get one of these emails, report it immediately to the financial institution. If you want to check to make sure you account is safe, log into it by entering the URL into the address box on your computer – DO NOT CLICK on links in emails.
Step 6

If you suspect a scam or hoax, research it on the Internet. Type the word ‘scam’ or ‘hoax’ into a Google or other search engine. You will find websites with descriptions of many scams and hoaxes. You can also report suspected scam emails to your Internet provider, who will research it and block future emails from that particular email address.

Comments

boatst said

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on 9/7/2009 Good tips on spotting a scam.

1960texan said

on 9/7/2009 Great tips, especially the one about not clicking on the link in an email. Some of these are so sophisticated that they look legitimate. 5 *s.