What is a scam?
So, a scam is when someone tries to trick you into sharing your money or personal details with them, for their own gain. Now let’s look at the different types of scams. Plus, we have tips on how to spot a scam and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.
We’ll start by finding out a bit more about them.
How scams work
Some scam messages go out to thousands of people at once. Often, they ask you to follow a link. They may ask you to enter your personal details like bank details, passwords or PIN numbers. Once they have this information, it’s theirs to use. They could access your bank account, open new accounts or take out debts (like loans or credit cards) in your name.
Common scam themes
Spotting scam messages, text messages and phone calls can be tricky. Many scams even fool the experts. To help you, here are some common themes that may indicate you’ve been the target of a scam.
- Importance - Who sent this message?
- Spelling / layout - Can you spot clear mistakes
- Urgency - Does it ask you to do something quickly?
- Reward - Does this seem too good to be true?
- Current events - Is the message relevant?
Importance
Who sent this message? Some scammers pretend to be a well-known organisation. For example, your bank, the police or even government agencies. They do this to make you think the message is important and official. This means you’re much more likely to believe them and do what they ask.
Spelling/layout
Does the message have clear mistakes? This may be a sign it’s a scam. It’s very rare that genuine emails have these kinds of errors. So if you see them, it’s best to be cautious and not respond. Although thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, scammers are able to make their messages much more sophisticated.
Urgency
Does the message ask you to do something quickly? For instance, offers that end soon, or threats if you don’t respond quickly. This can make you panic and follow the link or send personal details without stopping to think about it.
Reward
Is this product or service too good to be true? Some types of scams may offer you things at unbeatable value. Others say you’ve won some kind of prize. If this happens, the chances are it’s a scam. Be wary of these messages.
Current events
Is the message relevant? Scammers can also exploit current events or news items to make you think they are genuine.
Let’s say you get an email asking for money to help victims of a recent earthquake. This could be a scam, especially if it’s from an organisation you don’t know. It’s always good to check. Even if you do recognise it, search their name to find their website, then see if you can find this appeal there.