Keep these points in mind and you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a scam. These seem simple, but can be hard to remember when you're in the middle of a conversation or reading a carefully worded message, so keep calm and think before you act.
Treat every unsolicited offer with suspicion. If it sounds too good (or too bad) to be true, it probably is. Treat unsolicited emails, text messages and phone calls with suspicion and verify the source before taking any action.
Never give out personal information unless you're absolutely sure it's legit and you know who is receiving it on the other end. Even small pieces of personal information can be used to gain access to your accounts.
Scams often play on fear, desperation or greed. Take a step back if you're feeling pressured or get overly excited and consider the validity of an offer or threat. Don't get caught up in the moment.
Always double-check the identity of who you're dealing with. Call the official number listed on a bill, not the one given in an unsolicited message. Email addresses and phone numbers are easily faked by scammers.
Be cautious of unconventional methods of payment. Scammers often use gift cards or cryptocurrency to receive money. Never pay upfront fees for "prizes" or "lotteries", especially things you don't know about or didn't enter.
Make your passwords like a secret recipe to an alien dish - impossible to guess and unique for each account. When you use the same password across multiple accounts, a data breach at one company can expose any account using that password to security risks.
Enable it everywhere you can. It's like giving your password a bodyguard. "You want in? First, solve this riddle and then, maybe we'll talk.". There's plenty of information online about two-factor authentication if you need more detail.
Scammers love exploiting outdated software. Updates will often contain patches to security "holes" and bugs, and without patching them, your software is more vulnerable to exploit. Keep everything updated to patch those holes.
Do not click on links in emails, especially where you will be entering information or logging into a website. Go to the site the way you normally would, such as by using a bookmark. Links in emails can take you to malicious sites created by scammers.
Learn common scams. Knowledge is your best defense. The majority of scammers use the same or similar scam tactics and workflows because they are easy to do and can be effective. Be aware of them in order to avoid becoming a victim.
Public Wi-Fi can be a scammer's playground. Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured networks. When you are connected to a network, any data you send can potentially be intercepted, so be cautious of what you're doing on public networks.
Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. If there is suspicious or unauthorized activity, report it to the organization immediately. There will often be ways of preventing a scam, or reversing it's impact, but you must act quickly.
It's much better to err on the side of caution when dealing with phone calls, messages, online content and unsolicited contact. Speak to someone you trust before providing any information or taking any action that might expose you to a scam. Friends, family members, your financial institution, or other reputable resources can help understand what's happening.
Being skeptical about online or telephone contact is healthy, and these days, absolutely necessary. When your instincts give you a little nudge about a possible scam, listen! That split second will remind you to consider all the information you've read here, and may save you from identity theft or losing your life savings.