In recent years, scams have become increasingly prevalent, with scammers using a variety of tactics to trick people into giving them money or personal information. Some common scams include phishing emails and text messages, fake online advertisements, and phone scams.
Types of Scams
Phishing scams involve sending fake emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency, in order to trick the recipient into giving out personal information or money. These scams often use urgent language and threats, such as claiming that the recipient's account has been compromised and that they need to provide personal information to fix it.
Fake online advertisements, also known as "clickbait," often promise a free product or service, such as a gift card or a chance to win a prize, in order to trick people into clicking on a link and providing personal information. These ads are often found on social media platforms or in pop-up ads on websites.
Phone scams involve unsolicited phone calls from someone claiming to be from a government agency or a business, such as a utility company, in order to trick the recipient into giving out personal information or money. These scammers often use tactics such as threatening arrest or disconnection of services if the scammer's demands are not met.
These are just a few examples of the many types of scams that are currently circulating. It's important to stay vigilant and to be wary of unsolicited messages or phone calls, especially those that ask for personal or financial information.
The top 10 scams for the first half of 2022 were:
- Job
- Phishing
- E-commerce
- Investment
- Social media impersonation
- Fake friend call
- Loan
- Internet love
- Credit for sex
- Fake gambling platforms
Protect Yourself
Here are some tips for protecting yourself against scams:
- Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages, especially those that ask for personal or financial information.
- Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
- Be skeptical of "too good to be true" offers, such as those that promise large sums of money or ask for an upfront fee.
- Don't give out personal information, such as your Social Security number, credit card information, or bank account numbers, unless you initiated the contact and know the organization is legitimate.
- Keep your computer and mobile devices secure with anti-virus software and a firewall.
- Do your research before making any major purchase or investment.
- Don't be afraid to hang up or delete the message if something seems suspicious.
- Report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
- Keep your self updated with the latest scam methods and how to avoid them.
It's also important to keep in mind that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it's important to stay vigilant and not let your guard down.
In Singapore
On 18 January 2023, an event titled "Scaminar! ACT Against Scams" was held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, as well as virtually via live stream. This event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), in partnership with The Straits Times.
At this event, the ninth edition of the anti-scam campaign by the NCPC, with the refreshed tagline “I can ACT against scams” was launched. The ACT acronym in the new campaign tagline outlines how members of the public can Add security features, Check for signs, and Tell the authorities and others about scams.
- Add security features such as ScamShield and two-factor authentication for personal accounts. Also, set up transaction limits for Internet banking, to limit the amount of funds possibly lost in the event of a scam.
- Check for potential signs of a scam by asking questions, fact-checking requests for personal information and money transfers, and verifying the legitimacy of online listings and reviews. Take the time to pause and check. If it is too good to be true, it is probably untrue, and a scam.
- Tell the authorities and others about scam encounters by reporting to the bank, ScamShield, or by filing a police report. Tell others about ongoing scams and preventive steps they can take.