Online scams are becoming increasingly common. With these tips you will learn to recognize online fraud and prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
This is how you recognize online fraud: these tricks scammers will use in 2025
Fraudsters are getting smarter. They send emails, call supposedly on behalf of the bank or use fake apps that appear to be real. Nowadays you have to be on your guard more and more, because everyone is a potential target. Fortunately, you can protect yourself quite well if you know what to look for. With these tips you will learn to quickly recognize online fraud!
Phishing: do not click on the link
Phishing is one of the most popular ways scammers strike. You will then receive an email, text message or message via WhatsApp with a link to a fake website. The website of the link often looks exactly like that of your bank or a well-known organization. You will then be asked to enter your PIN code, password or login details.
A real organization will never ask for your personal codes or to log in via a link in a message. Are you in doubt? Type in the web address of the website itself or open the official app.
Spoofing: a fake voice on the line
Spoofing is when criminals pretend to be someone else. Consider, for example, an employee of the bank, the police or the delivery person of a parcel service. In fact, some are so savvy that they even appear to be calling from the company’s real phone number. Even then, it is important that you don’t immediately believe everything they tell you.
Do you receive a call saying that your account is ‘unsafe’? Then you better hang up immediately. Sometimes they tell you that criminals are targeting your jewelry and that they want to send a courier to pick up your valuables (as a precaution). Even then you can be sure that they are up to no good. Also never give anyone who calls you access to your computer. You should never forward login codes and other items anyway.
If you receive a call from such a person, it is best to call your bank immediately to report this. In this way you also help prevent more people from becoming victims.
Be aware of false payment requests
What many people are also scammed with are fake payment requests. You will then receive a payment request and it will seem as if it came from a friend or family member. Sometimes they even pretend to be your son or daughter and try to extort money from you that way.
It can also be something small, because there are also scammers who pretend to be from a parcel service. They then say that you have to pay a few euros for a package.
Often all these payment requests are fake, but if you want to be sure, it is best to call the person or company. And of course you can also just drop by to see what’s going on.
Golden rule: when in doubt, stop immediately
Does something not feel right? Stop immediately. Fraudsters play on emotion and want to handle everything as quickly as possible. And you shouldn’t fall for that. Take your time, check the source and ask for advice if you don’t trust it.
By staying alert, you learn to recognize fraud before it is too late. And so you can bank, shop or text online with peace of mind, without anyone taking your money or data.
More useful tips?
Want more tips for recognizing online fraud? Or are you looking for useful tricks for your iPhone, iPad and Mac? On iPhoned we have new tips for you every week! Check out the most recent ones below!
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