A recently deceased Watonga resident fell victim to an internetbased scam. Her family reported via social media that she had sent upwards of $96,000 to a man she met online. This heartbreaking occurrence has made her passing all the more difficult as the surviving family struggles through the emotional aftermath of it all.
Situations like this happen more often than you might think in this digital age where financial transactions happen with the click of a button. Scammers and con artists have evolved beyond the days of “Ponzi Schemes” adapting to the keyboards and screens they now use to target the vulnerable, grieving, lonely and elderly. This fraudulent activity has become so prevalent that there are now entire industries dedicated to combating it, but how does the individual person, the average citizen, protect themselves? Education.
They say knowledge is half the battle and that couldn’t ring more true regarding online fraud. Listed below are some basic points to be aware of when dealing with potential fraudsters.
Verifying website security by looking for https:// in the URL and identifying a padlock icon next to it to ensure that the website’s data is securely encrypted.
Being wary of offers that are too good to be true, as scammers use these offers to lure personal information or even money out of the victim.
Verifying contact information for companies. Scammers will pretend to be a part of an organization to foster a sense of trust.
Using secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or reputable online payment options.
Checking in with family members who are members of key demographics for scammers.
These simple tools are just a small glimpse into a variety of skills that exist to protect you, your personal information, and your money from the dangers of the internet. As a member of the community and a public servant, I see a great number of individuals who may be prime targets for scammers come through the library daily. My greatest hope for every one of them is that they never have to face the difficulties of online fraud. In line with that hope, I would like to share our resources with the public, as the Watonga Public Library has free online courses that cover securing your data and privacy. When we arm ourselves with knowledge we can be #bettertogether.