5 things to do if you fall victim to a web scam

With the advancement of technology, online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, to the point where many are not easily detected. Check below Five steps to follow if you are the victim of a web scam .

The nature of each scam may vary, but they all follow the same principle: tricking people into stealing confidential information and money.

An example of the scams currently being applied is social engineering a technique widely used by scammers to deceive people through well-articulated strategies and conversations.

When this technique is applied, criminals pretend to be professionals from legitimate companies and manipulate victims into stealing personal data. They then use this information to make a profit, whether by making purchases with the person’s credit card, accessing their bank accounts, or in other situations.

Some criminals send fake job offers, in which they demand payment for a service to start the job; others apply love scams in which they pretend to establish a relationship to “ask for money” from the victim.

According to a study by ClearSale, a data intelligence company focused on preventing this type of crime, most scams in Brazil are related to data theft, which is used by scammers to make purchases with credit cards.

Tip to avoid scams

A common case of scams involves suspicious links in emails, text messages and fake websites, where victims enter their personal information. Typically, criminals pretend to be well-known companies and use the data to make online purchases.

This type of damage can be easily avoided if you do not click on the links in these messages. In addition to stealing your information, these links can also install malicious files that allow access to your computer.

Things to do if you are a victim of a web scam

Each case is unique, so different measures are necessary to resolve each situation. If you have been the victim of a scam, CNN Brazil has gathered five tips to help you protect yourself after an online scam.

1 – Stolen data for online purchases

If scammers steal your personal or credit and debit card details to make online purchases, contact your bank or card issuer to report the fraudulent use, request that it be blocked and prevent further transactions. Depending on the case, it may be possible to reverse the transaction and recover the amount.

2 – PIX Transfer

If you have been the victim of a fraud in which scammers have pretended to be companies or individuals and have tricked you into making a transfer via Pix, the best course of action is to contact the bank to check whether the amount can be returned.

It is not possible to cancel a Pix transaction. If the bank is unable to recover the money, it is possible to try to recover the amount through legal proceedings. In this case, it is essential to go to a police station to file a police report, which will be necessary to start legal proceedings.

3 – Change password

If criminals gain access to your passwords, change them immediately on all compromised accounts, such as email, banking apps or social media.

Use a strong password with a combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication on any apps and services that offer it.

4 – Cut off contact with the scammer

One of the most well-known scams involves the use of social engineering, in which scammers pose as close relatives, companies or famous people.

This could be asking for money with the promise of returning it later or, in more serious cases, pretending to be the victim’s son and simulating a kidnapping to extort a ransom. In this case, stop talking to the scammer and try to confirm the location of your real relative.

If the criminal is pretending to be an employee of a large company or a famous person, remember that companies contact people through official communication channels, and public figures do not randomly contact people online. Once you have confirmed that the scam is a scam, block the contact.

5 – False investments

Online investment scams have been around since the beginning of the internet, but the rise of social media and new opportunities in the financial world have created even more traps for the unwary. In addition to scams involving cryptocurrencies and fake brokerages, in many cases, scammers ask for amounts promising high returns. Sometimes the scheme even works at first to gain your trust, but then they disappear and the entire investment is lost.

No legitimate investment can guarantee a 10% or even 3% monthly profit. If you find yourself falling for a scam of this type, try to withdraw all your money immediately and stop making transfers. Don’t forget to file a police report about the incident.

This content was originally published in 5 things to do if you are the victim of a web scam on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil