Scam Prevention Guide

Online Shopping Scams

How to Recognize

• Prices that seem too good to be true
• Websites with poor design or spelling errors
• Pressure to pay quickly through unusual methods
• No physical address or contact information

Protection Tips

• Research the seller before purchasing
• Use secure payment methods with buyer protection
• Check reviews from multiple sources
• Be wary of social media marketplace transactions

Investment Scams

How to Recognize

• Guaranteed high returns with no risk
• Pressure to invest quickly
• Unregistered investment products
• Complex strategies that are hard to understand

Protection Tips

• Verify investment opportunities with regulators
• Be skeptical of guaranteed returns
• Don't invest more than you can afford to lose
• Seek advice from licensed financial advisors

Romance Scams

How to Recognize

• Quick declarations of love
• Requests for money for emergencies
• Avoidance of video calls or meetings
• Stories about being in the military or working overseas

Protection Tips

• Never send money to someone you haven't met
• Be cautious of overly affectionate strangers
• Do reverse image searches on profile photos
• Keep personal and financial information private

Impersonation Scams

How to Recognize

• Claims to be from government agencies
• Threats of arrest or legal action
• Requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers
• Urgent demands for personal information

Protection Tips

• Government agencies never demand immediate payment
• Verify the caller's identity independently
• Never share sensitive information over the phone
• Hang up and call the official number yourself

Job Scams

How to Recognize

• Requests for payment for training or materials
• Offers that seem too good to be true
• Requests for bank account information
• Interviews conducted only via messaging apps

Protection Tips

• Legitimate employers never charge fees
• Research the company thoroughly
• Never provide financial information during interviews
• Be cautious of work-from-home offers

Cryptocurrency Scams

How to Recognize

• Promises of guaranteed returns
• Pressure to invest immediately
• Fake celebrity endorsements
• Requests for private keys or wallet access

Protection Tips

• Never share your private keys
• Use reputable cryptocurrency exchanges
• Be wary of new or unknown cryptocurrencies
• Enable two-factor authentication

Social Media Scams

How to Recognize

• Fake giveaways or contests
• Accounts impersonating celebrities or brands
• Clickbait headlines and suspicious links
• Requests to share personal information

Protection Tips

• Verify account authenticity
• Don't click on suspicious links
• Be cautious of "too good to be true" offers
• Review privacy settings regularly

Phishing

How to Recognize

• Urgent requests for personal information
• Suspicious email addresses or domains
• Poor grammar and spelling
• Unexpected attachments or links

Protection Tips

• Never click on suspicious links
• Verify sender email addresses carefully
• Use two-factor authentication
• Keep software and antivirus updated

Advance-Fee Scams

How to Recognize

• Requests for upfront payment for loans or prizes
• Claims of lottery winnings or inheritances
• Requests for payment to release funds
• Promises of large returns for small investments

Protection Tips

• Never pay money to receive money
• Be skeptical of unexpected windfalls
• Verify claims through official channels
• Report suspicious offers to authorities