Scams and Fraud

1. Be wary of unexpected messages: Scammers often use unexpected messages that look like they’re from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. If you receive a message that you weren’t expecting, be cautious and don’t click on any links or download any attachments
2. Check the sender’s information: If you receive an email or text message from someone you don’t know, or if the sender’s information looks suspicious, don’t respond or click on any links. Scammers often use fake email addresses or phone numbers to trick people into thinking the message is legitimate
3. Look for warning signs: Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Some common warning signs include urgent calls to action, threats, or requests for personal or financial information
4. Use anti-phishing tools: Many modern browsers have built-in protection against fraudulent sites, and most antivirus and security suite products add their own protection against phishing. These tools can help you avoid phishing scams
   Report suspicious messages: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the appropriate authorities. You can report spam or other suspicious messages to your email provider, block unwanted messages and calls, or report scam phone calls to the Federal Trade Commission

Remember, scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. If you suspect that you are being phished, stop and think before taking any action. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

1. Email phishing: This is the most common type of phishing attack, where the scammer will register a fake domain that mimics a genuine organization and sends thousands of generic requests. The fake domain often involves character substitution, like using ‘r’ and ‘n’ next to each other to create ‘rn’ instead of ‘m’ 
2. Spear phishing: This is a more sophisticated type of phishing attack that targets specific individuals or organizations. The scammer will use personal information to make the message seem more legitimate and increase the chances of success
3. Whaling: This type of phishing attack targets senior executives or high-profile individuals within an organization. The scammer will use personal information to make the message seem more legitimate and increase the chances of success
4. Smishing and vishing: These types of phishing attacks use text messages (smishing) or phone calls (vishing) to trick people into revealing their personal information. The scammer will often use urgent calls to action or threats to increase the chances of success
5. Deceptive phishing: This type of phishing scam involves fraudsters impersonating a legitimate company to trick people into revealing their personal information. The message appears to be legitimate and from a trusted source, like a bank or a courier company
6. Charity fraud scams: These scams can come in many forms, including emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, and cold calls. They are especially common after high-profile disasters. Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes

Remember, scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay vigilant and informed. If you suspect that you are being phished, stop and think before taking any action. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help.