How to Find Out If Someone Is an Online Scam Artist
In today's society, it often seems as though the whole world is online. In such an environment, it can be hard to know who to trust. If you're concerned about the credibility of a site, business or service, do not put your money or your identity at risk. Ensure that you have online interactions only with reputable, trustworthy individuals and businesses by following some simple precautions. With a little knowledge and research, you can protect your reputation and your pocketbook while still enjoying the convenience of the online marketplace.
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Instructions
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Throw out any unsolicited email, no matter how good the offer or how desperate the individual. Online scam artists are pros at roping people in with sky-high offers and rock-bottom deals. Assume anyone you don't know, whether they claim to be a Nigerian millionaire or a Polish grandmother in trouble, is a scam artist in disguise. Report the email as spam and delete it from your mailbox.
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Ask for references. If you are approached by phone, email or Internet marketing and asked to conduct a transaction online, stop and take the time to do your research. First, talk to real people who have used the company or service in the past. Ask them if they are they satisfied. If someone refuses to give references, refuse to give them your personal information.
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Check the company website. Look for a professional image and useful information on products and services that isn't just a hard sell. These are more likely to be legitimate businesses. Be wary of websites that use heavy-handed sales pitches, "too good to be true" deals, vague claims and over-the-top testimonials. If a website with these features tries to catch you by popping up a second window offering an incentive as you try to navigate away from the page, it's a sure sign you're in dangerous territory.
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Look for independent, online third-party reviews of the company or individual. Don't stop with a company website. Search forums and scam-related websites to determine whether the business or person in question is mentioned as a scam artist. Check Snopes, Ripoff Report and ScamChecker, three of the top scam-recognition sites in the country. If the company or individual is listed in the ranks of scam artists on any of these sites, run for the hills.
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Check with the Better Business Bureau. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is a 100-year-old private-sector voice for ethical business and trust in the marketplace. If the Better Business Bureau accredits a business and gives it a high grade for customer service and satisfaction, you're more likely to have found a business you can trust.
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Listen to your own gut instincts. If everything looks right but the transaction somehow feels wrong, don't risk it. Your identity and your money are precious; keep them safe.
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Tips & Warnings
If you suspect that your personal information has been compromised, report potential identity theft to the authorities as soon as possible. Call the local police, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT, and notify your bank and other financial institutions that someone other than yourself may have access to some or all of your private information.
Do not give your bank account details, social security number, credit card number, address or other private information over the phone, especially to a party that has called you from an unknown source. Your bank will never ask you to give such personal information over the phone without verification.
References
Resources
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