Having your identity stolen is an absolute nightmare. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Many of those steps actually have to do with the types of websites you visit. In some cases, as much as clicking on the link of a fake site can release sensitive personal information to digital scammers.
Stay sharp with these best practices for identifying fake websites and protecting your personal information. Digital “scammers” try to trick you into exposing your personal or financial information—and they’re getting more sophisticated by the day. Here is what to watch out for.
• Missing or Fake Navigation: Low-quality graphics or limited navigation; site doesn’t look as you’d expect. Legitimate company websites feature a “navigation bar,” which includes ways to contact them. Today, sophisticated scammers are adept copycats, mirroring the sites they impersonate. If you suspect a spoofed website, open a new browser window and directly type in the URL for the website you want to visit, then navigate to the link relevant to you.
• Fake URL: Slightly misspelled variations of well-known sites. Always check the entire domain name, not just the beginning. Some scammers add extra characters to legitimate domain names. Legitimate URLs should start with “https” to indicate a secure connection. Don’t fall for fake websites that use a different domain extension than the legitimate business or organization you’re looking for.
Be especially careful when clicking on search results. Also be aware of URL “shorteners,” which legitimate companies or organizations rarely employ. Reference a service like https://linkexpander.com to retrieve the original URL from a shortened link before clicking on it and visiting the destination.
• Fake Form Fields: Additional fields requesting more than your username and password. These can be designed to mimic the real thing. If in doubt, enter a fake password, since most phony sites will accept false information. Tip: Use “two-factor authentication” when available. This is when a site requires your username, password and an additional verification code or identifier, which is generated by the site and provided only to you.
Be vigilant and educate yourself by searching online for the latest scams. If you feel uneasy, call a company directly. Be safe and keep your information safe.
Until next week….
Jill Santandrea, Broker Manager, EXIT Homestead Realty Professionals LLC, 1070 E Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360; 856-692-EXIT; Cell: 856-362-0967; Direct: 888-856-5455; TheJillTeam.com; E-mail: TeamJill@ExitHomePros.com; Text JillS to 85377 for my mobile business card. Listen to Jill on 99.9FM SNJ Radio Today. Source: 2019 Buffini & Company
