ONLINE scams are on the rise as more users continue to be victims.
Aura reports that 25% of fraud victims get scammed on social media and there’s a good chance that you as a reader could become a victim.
Online scammers often use dating websites or social networks to get personal details and money from people.
Tech It Out has previously written numerous pieces on which social media platforms are often used to scam people.
According to Liz Wegerer, a cybersecurity expert from VPNOverview.com, here are measures which people can apply at all times to avoid these online threats:
- Lock down your privacy settings
Set your main social network account private so that only the followers you approve can see your posts and profile.
- Use strong passwords
Avoid using weak passwords which people can easily guess to access your account and use two-factor authentication to make it hard for scammers to crack your profile.
- Only buy from verified profiles
Facebook Market is often used to rob people of their hard-earned money as scammers use the platform to sell products which do not exist.
It is therefore crucial for one to verify the buyer or seller’s online profile.
- Decline friend requests from anyone you do not know
Scammers create fake social media accounts to impersonate you or others.
In conclusion, the South African Police Service has on many occasions warned the public to refrain from looking for bargains on social media platforms.
This comes after numerous Facebook Market scams were reported in Winterveld, Tshwane.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo urged people who often use online shopping methods to only do so through reputable companies or applications.
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