Protect Yourself Against Spam and Online Scams
Be on the lookout for signs of a scam in your e-mail. Any time you receive an alarmist message from a company, or a threat to close your account unless you verify personal information right away, be wary. Legitimate companies don't do business this way over the Internet. If there is a real problem with one of your accounts, you won't be asked to reveal personal information online.
E-mail that promises big money for little or no effort is most likely a scam in disguise. Deals that sound too good to be true probably are, just like in the real world. Misspellings and grammatical errors in e-mail may also indicate spam that could lead to problems if you respond.
How to Protect Yourself
- Delete spam without opening it. That one action alone will nip a lot of problems in the bud and spare you a lot of potential trouble.
- Protect your privacy. Don't share any personal or financial information in an e-mail or instant message. If a reputable company appears to ask for personal information-such as credit card or bank account numbers or passwords-it could be a scam designed to capture your information and steal your identity.
- Don't reply to spam. Don't buy anything from an unknown source. Don't give to money to charities based on e-mail directions; instead, contact the organization directly to find out the best way to contribute.
