Scamming has become very popular due to increased online browsing and shopping. Therefore, to help aid one in avoiding becoming a potential victim of the scam, this blog will look at if you can get scammed by simply clicking on a websites link, how to make sure a websites link is secure and safe, how to avoid online scamming and what to do if you have become a victim of a scam. However, one way to avoid being scammed online is to look at a company’s review section. Best review site encourage customers to write reviews on companies to help potential aid future customers. For example, one can look at shopto review to ensure they provide quality products and services.
Can you get scammed by clicking on a website’s link?
The most common way one can get scammed by clicking a website’s link, is if that link has been included in a malicious email. The links within these emails usually contain malware. The malware would either be viruses, ransomware or spyware. These types of software can then steal essential or sensitive information that hackers can use to gain access to your accounts or hold you for ransom. Therefore if you have clicked on aphishing link, disconnect your device immediately, change your password, back up your files, scan the device for any malware and report the incident.
How to make sure a websites link is safe
A website link that is usually safe and secure is the standard one, generally starting with www, the company’s domain name and ends with .com. Moreover, you also get a shortened URL that usually looks like goo.gl/V3jVqx. However, another way to check if a link is secure is to use sites that scan the link for you and inform you whether or not they are malware. For example, one can use the following sites, Norton Safe Web, ScanURL, PhishTank, Google Transparency Report and Virus Total Safe. Many more are available to you; some are even free and can be extensions.
How to avoid online scamming
One can become a scam victim without knowing when shopping online and browsing. Therefore when doing anything on the internet, there are a few tips to avoid becoming a victim of scams. Namely, when on any website, check to see if the link is secured. A padlock icon will be displayed in green; if the website is not secure, the padlock icon will be unlocked and red. Furthermore, another way to ensure it is reliable is to see if there are any reviews or customer feedback. Lastly, one can check if the site’s contact information is authentic.
What should you do if you have been scammed?
Becoming a scam victim can be very scary; however, this is what you should do if you ever become a victim. Firstly if any transaction happens without your consent, inform your bank and freeze your accounts. Secondly, if you have bought from a marketplace such as Amazon or eBay, file a complaint and inform them of the incident. Thirdly, try to get your money back. Many banks have policies to ensure you receive your money back if fraud occurs. Lastly, report the incident to the police. Doing so will even further ensure you receive your money back.
Sadly many people become victims of scamming daily. However, there are a few methods to avoid becoming one of those victims. Namely ensuring you are not clicking on phishing links, the websites are secure, there are reliable reviews and customer reviews, and reliable contact information is available.