Examples include,

1. Pedophiles trying to meet up with younger girls/boys after connecting online with fake profiles.

2. Black Mail - people asking for nude photos or information to trap you into sending them money

What should you do?

While having online friends can be fun make sure that you check for these important red flags.

1. These photos are too good to be true. If they have professional-looking photos majority of the time they are from Pinterest or the internet.

2. If they will not show their face and will only send photos. They are not who they say they are

3. They don't want you telling your parents. Never talk to anyone who wants to stay hidden from adults.

4. If they ask for money. They are not going to repay you so don't send it.

Now going forward make sure to be careful with who you talk to because you never know who it may be. This is such a big issue there is an entire TV series catching these online predators.

Try this quiz to look at Interent Safety and Online Preadators

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizshow.php?title=internet-safety-online-relationships&q=1

1. Check for HTTPS: Ensure that the website's URL begins with "https://" instead of "http://," indicating a secure connection with encrypted data that makes your card protected

2. Look for a Padlock Icon: the little locked key icon up top by the search bar signifies a secure connection; clicking on it can provide additional details about the website's security.

3. Verify the Website's Legitimacy: Research the website, read reviews, and confirm its authenticity before making any purchases most scams have some bad reviews on google but not listed on their page.

4. Use Reputable Payment Methods: Use pay pal or a credit card as much as possible

   
   

5. Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: Exercise caution when encountering exceptionally low prices or unbelievable deals, as they might be lures to compromise your personal information. ONLY PAY SHIPPING is a red flag it means you aren't buying a product therefore if it never comes they don't owe you anything.

For example,

If you want a new pair of shoes most likely instagram will send you an ads for some because they are listening to what you say to have better knowledge of what ads to send. Most of the times the ads on instagram are no regulated and can send you to a bad websites. Most pages have insane deal where everything is free but you pay shipping therefore the product is free and you can never be reimbursed for the shipping cost.

Imagine buying from what seems like a family online site, only to discover unauthorized credit card transactions later. This is what happens when you fall for an online scam. Despite looking legitimate, the site was fraudulent, leading to theft of your credit card details. The only way to stop these. charges if getting a new card can frexxing your old account.

How to check a website?

https://us.norton.com/blog/how-to/check-if-a-website-is-safe

Watch Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoL5c_6IaO0

Things to be aware of.

Bank information - no bank will ask for you to log in via a text or ask you to pay a bill though text. Most cards start with the same 4 digits therefore even if it matches it probably isn't your card. If you are worried try contacting your bank over the phone or in person before following through.

DO NOT CLICK UNKNOWN LINKS - most of the time links will send you to fake websites that look real always use google search instead of links. On Instagram clicking a link can cause you to get your account stolen.

Spelling mistakes - Any spelling mistakes it is most likely fake.

Online calls - when talking online with a bank or anything that needs information do not use the links they send you use the google links provided by your search, not the keywords they give you.

AI voices- now scammers can use the voice of your family members if you get a call from anyone you know asking for money hang up and call them back with the given number from your contacts.

Overall, always trust your gut if it is too good to be true do not give information.

Example

You get an email saying you owe 12$ in late fees on your credit card click this link to resolve fees. While the amount is so little most people will click and pay but this. The email is from a bank user email that only says bank customer. After paying the fee your card gets random charges. Instead. you should have called your bank instead of protecting your information.

AI voice scanners

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/24/how-to-protect-yourself-against-ai-voice-cloning-scams.html#:~:text=In%20March%2C%20the%20Federal%20Trade,to%20send%20the%20scammers%20money.

When online remember...

Words can hurt

It will be online forever even if you delete it

Everyone deserves respect

Online activity can be tracked and held against you