Anti-Scam

How to avoid being caught in the destruction of the internet

Fake Websites

• Typosquatting is misspelled variations of well-known domain names. An example is tumblr.com (social networking website). It could be changed to tumbIr.com… notice the difference? The lowercase “L” got changed to a capital “I.”

How to Spot a Fake Website

• Unusually low prices (can also be used to spot fake products/brands)
• No reviews
• Poor grammar & spelling
• No postal address
• No terms & conditions
• Not an authorized reseller

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Source: Claire Broadley, “How to Spot A Fake Website: Don’t Get Phished,” whoishostingthis.com

How to Avoid Going to a Fake Website

• Physically type in a website URL from an email. DO NOT click the link.

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• Call the business if you are unsure. Make sure you DO NOT use the phone number provided to you through an email, instant message, ad, or other means.

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Phone Scams

• If they call YOU and ask for information, it is a scam. NEVER give out any info from a call YOU received. If you are really concerned that your information got stolen through Microsoft, go and call them yourself to verify before giving out your information.
• If they aren’t specific (i.e. they say we need your info for “some reason”), DON’T trust it!
• Phishing: the practice of sending emails disguised as popular companies to trick you into revealing your personal information such as passwords and credit card information.

Fake News

• Before clicking on an article you see on Facebook about some upsetting news, verify that website first to see if it is a valid website. Sites like “potatriotsunite.com” are meant to trick people into believing a news story is real.

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From the “About Us” Page on potatriotsunite.com:

Image by: Vanessa Otero 2016

Twitter @volotero

Pop-Up Ads

Pop-Up Ads: ads that pop up on a website, usually in the middle of the screen, which ask you to input personal information or to visit the advertised website.

Examples of Pop-Up Ads:

• Click “here” to start shopping now!
• You have a virus! Click here to get rid of it!
• Click to spin the wheel for a chance to win $1 million!
• Enter your email to get a coupon for this product now!

Do you know how to avoid scams?

• 14% of people said no to this question.
• “Don't click links that you are unfamiliar with”
• “Sure, if someone send you an email then call the company first and see if it's legit”
• “Yes, look for typos”

You got this!

Now you know some of the most common scams and how to avoid getting scammed. Keep that information safe and secure!