As the coronavirus continues to pose significant challenges for businesses and customers, the number of online fraud cases has increased unprecedentedly. With more people than ever doing the vast majority online fraud of their work or shopping online, we’ve all become more vulnerable to online crime. Worse, with the pandemic keeping our attention, it’s all too easy for online fraud to slip under the radar entirely.
Since the coronavirus struck, fraudsters have been targeting people conducting e-commerce transactions online. They’re taking advantage of the current disaster to deceive and defraud customers on e-commerce sites and other online communities. Don’t be a victim! Learn how to recognize fraud and protect yourself here.
Increased Remote Work: A Higher Risk
Many people are staying at home to avert the spread of coronavirus, increasing the rate of remote work, banking, and shopping. Unfortunately, fraudsters have taken advantage of this transition to rip off money from unsuspecting online users. And unfortunately, most people don’t have the option to decrease their online activity while working largely (or entirely) from home. Consequently, you may be more vulnerable than you realize.
Types of Growing Online Fraud
The number of online scams and frauds has especially increased on two fronts: online shopping and business cloud storage.
With the increasing rate of online shopping, consumers have become the primary targets of fraud. The fraudsters can inject malicious code in a site’s checkout page to skim and obtain the consumers’ credit card data and personal information. Particularly tech-savvy criminals can even create fake webpages or entire sites to fool consumers into thinking they’re paying for a legitimate product when they’re just handing over money to online thieves.
As many businesses invest in cloud operations and data storage, cyber attackers are also working tirelessly to infiltrate databases. Businesses with a largely remote workforce may notice increased attacks on their cloud storage or communication systems.
How to Protect Yourself
If you’ve been conducting e-commerce transactions lately, the chances are high that fraudsters are targeting your personal or financial information. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links and content from unknown sources. Fraudsters usually send emails and text messages with malicious links that will redirect you to unsecured sites or media. Only open links or messages from trusted sources.
Pro Tip: During the pandemic, all of your online activity could be more vulnerable than usual. Stick to websites and online retailers with an excellent security track record.
Don’t be a Victim
As the pandemic continues to ravage the economy, fraudsters and scammers are doing everything possible to steal your money and personal information. Thankfully, with safe habits and care, you can protect yourself from most online threats. Keep an eye on which websites you use and only give away personal information to trusted, secure sites.
Contact us to learn how you can protect yourself from scammers and fraudsters.
Amy Passmore is the Chief Executive Officer and Integrator of Enstep Technology Solutions, where she has been a key leader since the company’s founding. She has overseen core operational and financial functions from day one and now leads the company’s continued growth in managed IT services. Outside of work, she supports inclusion in her community by managing the Texas Power Soccer Association and coaching the Houston Fireballs Power Soccer Club.
