Websites are the lifeblood of the digital world, and this makes effective web design essential to help it thrive. However, there can be security issues. Using reputable sites is crucial to keeping your banking, business or personal data safe – the BetRivers PA casino site is a good example of a secure site to use. Online scams are also a major problem and something for everyone to look out for – be it those who use the internet professionally for work or individuals who head online in their spare time.
As well as knowing what a secure website looks like, it can also be worth knowing what signs to look out for to identify a scam site or an online scamming operation. This means that you will be able to instantly spot that something is wrong and avoid it. But what are the classic signs of online scams to be aware of?
Poorly designed websites
Many online scams will have their own website built to lure people in and they can appear legitimate. There are numerous fake sites that promise to sell items or training courses online that take your money and provide nothing in return. As all web designers know, putting time and effort into creating a well-constructed site is the first thing reputable businesses will do. If you land on a website that is poorly designed, has spelling mistakes in the text, and looks rushed or unfinished, then this can be a sign of a scam. The scammers want to spend as little as possible to create a site and so do not invest in putting the site together properly. While the most common web design failures are not always proof of an online scam, they are certainly a red flag to watch out for.
Lack of contact details or support
In many cases, another obvious sign of a scam online is there being no contact details on the website itself. All reputable companies will include contact details so customers can speak with them if needed – both on their website and via their email. If you cannot find them anywhere on the site when you look, be careful as this could be the sign of a scam operation. Even if you do find contact details online for the company in question, give the email a try or the phone number a ring to double-check. If you can never get an answer or feel that whoever deals with you is not trustworthy, then it is best to steer clear.
Unsolicited contact
This is perhaps one of the biggest red flags around online scams to watch out for. The best rule of thumb is to never trust unsolicited contact from anyone – regardless of who they claim to be or where they say they work. Many people get fooled by emails from people who say they work for a well-known bank or company. This can sometimes result in sensitive information like PIN numbers and passwords being passed on to scammers who will head for your account and steal your money.
If you receive unsolicited contact online from a company or someone claiming to work for them, find the genuine contact details of the company online yourself and speak with them directly. If the contact is genuine, then you can sort out whatever is needed but without any risk. Also, remember never to click links contained in an email as these can infect your PC or business network with viruses or malware.
The ‘too good to be true’ syndrome
The modern world we live in has seen much change, but some things remain constant. One major example of this with online scams is when something seems too good to be true. Let’s say that someone is selling a web design package or high-end PC online for well below the going rate. Everyone knows that this sort of deal is too generous and that the person selling it stands to lose money if they sell at that price.
If something that is sold online is a lot cheaper than you would expect, then this could be the sign of a scam. In many cases, what you get is not what you are sold, or you simply do not get sent anything at all! While you can find good deals from reputable sellers online, be careful of anything that simply does not make sense in terms of pricing.
Rush to make payment
Another classic sign of an online scam is being pressured or rushed into making payment. No reputable seller or business will do this. Being asked to make an online transfer of money quickly or being put under a lot of pressure to buy usually means you should steer clear. A legitimate business or seller will never employ such tactics.
You should also pay attention to how you are asked to pay and the security of their online payment methods. If the only way of paying for the goods is in an unusual format (like iTunes vouchers or a bank transfer) or simply a method you are not comfortable with, then it is best left alone. Watch out for the padlock symbol on-screen in the browser when paying for any goods online, too – this shows that the payment method and website being used is secure.
Keep an eye out for online scams
The digital world is an amazing place, and we would now find it hard to live without the technology it involves. Watching out for online skullduggery such as the warning signs of money scams is vital so that you stay safe while online. Do not think it is only computer tech like dodgy websites or emails you should keep an eye out for though – many scammers now use text messages to send you virus-laden links to click on as well! By staying aware and keeping up to date with the latest tech news in this area, you should not have any problems.
