Protect yourself from Email and Web Scams

Protect yourself from Email and Web Scams

 

Protect yourself from Email and Web Scams

Protect yourself from Email and Web Scams

When you read an email or surf the Internet, you should be wary of scams that try to steal your personal information (identity theft), your money, or both. Many of these scams are known as “phishing scams” because they “fish” for your information.

How to recognize scams?

New scams seem to appear every day. To see some of the latest scams, check the (Security fraud section) in addition, you can learn to recognize a scam by familiarizing yourself with some of the telltale signs.

Scams can contain the following:

  • Alarmist messages and threats of account closures.
  • Promises of money for little or no effort.
  • Deals that sound too good to be true.
  • Requests to donate to a charitable organization after a disaster that has been in the news.
  • Bad grammar and misspellings.

For more information, see How to recognize phishing emails and links.

Popular scams

Here are some popular scams that you should be aware of:

Scams that use the Microsoft name or names of other well-known companies. These scams include fake email messages or websites that use the Microsoft name. The email message might claim that you have won a Microsoft contest, that Microsoft needs your logon information or password, or that a Microsoft representative is contacting you to help you with your computer. (These fake tech-support scams are often delivered by phone.) For more information, see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently.

Lottery scams. You might receive messages that claim that you have won the Microsoft lottery or sweepstakes. These messages might even look like they come from a Microsoft executive. There is no Microsoft Lottery. Delete the message. For more information, see What is the Microsoft Lottery Scam?

Rogue security software scams. Rogue security software, also known as “scareware,” is a software that appears to be beneficial from a security perspective but provides limited or no security, generates erroneous or misleading alerts, or attempts to lure you into participating in fraudulent transactions. These scams can appear in email, online advertisements, your social networking site, search engine results, or even in pop-up windows on your computer that might appear to be part of your operating system, but are not. For more information, see Watch out for fake virus alerts.

What to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam

If you suspect that you’ve responded to a phishing scam with personal or financial information, take these steps to minimize any damage.

  • Change the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts that you think might be compromised.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you’re not sure how to do this.
  • Contact the bank or the online merchant directly. Do not follow the link in the fraudulent email message.
  • If you know of any accounts that were accessed or opened fraudulently, close those accounts.

Routinely review your bank and credit card statements monthly for unexplained charges or inquiries that you didn’t initiate.

 

Source : Microsoft Security MS Security Tips