Online, you can find many amazing deals, bonuses, and freebies that can save you money on a wide range of products and services. For example, casinos.com has over 5,000 free slots that allow you to enjoy the fun of gambling online without the financial risks. The flip side of this is that, unfortunately, online scams that attempt to take advantage of our interest in getting deals are incredibly prevalent.
In the first half of 2024, Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, where scammers trick people into giving them funds under false pretences, amounted to £213.7 million in losses for the United Kingdom. That’s a significant amount. The good news is that this number is an 11 per cent decrease from 2023, meaning people are becoming savvier at identifying and preventing this fraudulent activity.
To keep this momentum going and to keep you safe from online scams, we’ll explore signs of scams to watch out for and provide other tips for avoiding them while you’re online.
Signs of a Scam
Online scams can come in many forms, but they usually have a few telltale signs that can help you steer clear of giving your information and money to scammers. These nine are some of the most common signs to watch out for when making purchases online to earn ‘freebies’ or other rewards.
Unsolicited Emails or Messages
If an unknown contact or organisation you’re not subscribed to emails or sends you a text about a potential freebie or any other type of offer, it likely indicates fraudulent activity. Scammers may impersonate a well-known organisation, so even if you recognise the name being used, it’s important to exercise caution and ignore it or contact the organisation through another means to confirm it’s really them.
Urgency Tactics
Another sign of a scam is an emphasis on making a purchase as quickly as possible. In some cases, this may prompt people to enter their information or make a purchase without doing careful research out of fear that they’ll miss the opportunity for a good deal or potential prize.
Excessive Requests for Personal Information
Most organisations ask for the bare minimum needed for a transaction to take place. If a registration or checkout process seems to be asking for a great deal of information you would not normally include when making a purchase or entering a contest, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not share these details.
A Poorly Designed Website
Scammers tend to care more about getting information than looking professional, which can impact the quality of their website. If a website seems poorly designed, is missing important information, or has a domain name that doesn’t match the branding, it’s best to leave it.
Spelling Mistakes and Poor Grammar
Just as a website may not be professionally designed and maintained, written communications may also lack a professional quality. If you notice spelling mistakes and poor grammar on a website, email, personal message, or other communication, this can be a sign of a scam.
Unusual or Unfamiliar Payment Methods
If you’re interested in purchasing an item online but see that the website offers payment methods you’re unfamiliar with or uncommonly used options, such as a wire transfer and gift cards, this could indicate that you’re dealing with a scam. These payment methods often make it more difficult to cancel or refund a transaction, making it easier for the scammer to secure your funds.
Lack of Contact Information
A lack of contact information on a website can indicate that the company you’re dealing with is untrustworthy. This is a red flag, as most businesses and organisations want people to communicate with them if needed to help build a positive relationship and a stellar shopping experience.
Bad Reviews or No Reviews At All
Keeping an eye out for reviews or testimonials from the organisation or person offering a freebie or anything else can help you spot a potential scam. Negative reviews might inform you that a product or service isn’t as advertised, while no reviews can indicate a possible scam.
The Offer Seems Too Good to Be True
The last sign to note is if an offer appears too good to be true, odds are you can trust your gut that there will be a major catch. This could be a scam that steals your funds without delivering what the company said they will or you could end up stuck paying for high hidden fees.
Tips to Avoid Scams
In addition to watching out for these signs, you can protect yourself by implementing the following tips when shopping or providing personal information online.
Research the Company or Offer
Before making a purchase, take the time to research the company offering the product or service. If you can’t easily find a company’s online presence, this can be a red flag. In your research, you may also discover that an offer is from someone impersonating a company and that the legitimate site isn’t offering the freebie or discount in question.
When in Doubt, Do Not Share Personal Information
When dealing with an email, text message, website, or other form of messaging that you’re feeling even slightly unsure of, it’s in your best interest not to share any information they may be requesting of you. Additionally, it’s best not to click on links or download attachments that may have been shared through an email, text, or other message.
Do Not Use Unsecured Sites
Before visiting, making a purchase, or sharing personal information through a website, ensure it is a secure site. To do this, look for the website link to include ‘https’ and the lock symbol in the address bar. You may also want to use a website safety checker. These are often available on your search engine of preference. For instance, if you use Google, you can try using Google Safe Browsing.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter any of the signs noted here and believe something is a scam, it’s a good idea to report it. This can help protect others from unknowingly making purchases or sharing information with an untrustworthy entity. If you did make a purchase or share information, this can help mitigate the negative consequences by helping you determine the next steps to take.
