Scammers often don't bother writing their profile text or messages but instead copy them from other websites or dating profiles. To check, you can run suspicious text through an online search to see if any matches come up. If they do, don't message back or respond. They won't Skype or video call you or meet in person.
Also be extra wary if the face on the other side is too fuzzy to see. Scammers can fake video calls. Someone who keeps putting off the video call may be shy—or you may be. So another alternative is to ask questions that expose him.
Contact you unexpectedly — One of the easiest ways to spot a scammer is if they contact you first. If you receive any message, phone call, or email from someone you don't know, verify they are who they say by contacting their agency or business directly.
Mobile apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime have built-in security mechanisms to prevent fake video calling and other such scams.
Scammers are always hesitant to meet in person. They are often hesitant to talk with you on a phone or video call.
Your phone number is an easy access point for scammers and identity thieves. Once they know your number, they can use it to send you phishing texts, trick you into installing malware and spyware, or use social engineering attacks to get you to hand over your personal identifying information (PII).
Be on the lookout for these red flags: Being asked to pay money in order to receive a prize or get a job. Pressure to act immediately. Use of scare tactics, e.g. telling you a loved one is in danger, that your computer has been hacked or threatening arrest if you don't act now.
Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites. The scammer's intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.
Since most WhatsApp video chats contain sensitive data, you wouldn't want someone to intercept or hack into your WhatsApp video call. WhatsApp enforces end-to-end encryption for its calls and chats. End-to-end encryption means your communication on WhatsApp is secure, and even the WhatsApp team can't access it.
PhishLabs warns that replying to a phishing email, even if you know it's a scam, can lead to further attacks. Most phishing campaigns are automated and replying to them puts you on a scammer's radar. PhishLabs stresses that these people are criminals, and that they can be vindictive or even dangerous.
A scam call can be a gateway to identity theft. If you're being targeted by scam calls, you should consider protecting your identity and finances with identity theft protection and credit monitoring.
Look for typical scammer behavior.
Repeatedly asking for odd personal information (e.g., your location) Disconcertingly dramatic, erratic, or otherwise strange behavior (in all likelihood, you'll want to avoid dating people like this anyway) Early or inappropriate professions of love.
Romance scammers usually use fake profile images in order to protect their own identities. To keep you interested and prevent you from questioning their identity, romance scammers will often continually make promises to meet in person, even if that means flying overseas.
Catfish will try and move the conversation onto a different platform, usually something like WhatsApp, Kik or email, for a few reasons. Scammers know that anti-scam technology software on the sites will likely pick up trends in conversation and shut down the profile.
Younger adults reported losses to online shopping fraud – which often started with an ad on social media – far more often than any other fraud type, and most said they simply did not get the items they ordered. Younger adults were over four times more likely than older adults to report a loss on an investment scam.
Identity thieves could potentially gather information on you from images that you share online. A photo posted on your birthday, for example, would provide them with your date of birth, whereas a photo of a new house could potentially give them details of where you live.
Can you get hacked by answering a phone call? It's impossible to get hacked by simply answering a phone call made through your network service provider. But that doesn't mean a phone call can't be exploited to compromise your security via a social engineering attack.
No—unless you hit a link included in the text. To avoid getting hacked, do not hit any link that comes with a text or email—unless you are absolutely sure of the sender's identity.
Access your social media accounts. Text message or contact your friends and family to scam them. Spoofing your phone number and calling people you know to commit fraud. Text phishing messages to your contacts - this is called "smishing."
Scammers will ask you for money.
Once they gain your trust, they'll ask for your help to pay medical expenses (for them or a family member), buy their ticket to visit you, pay for their visa, or help them pay fees to get them out of trouble.