Scammers are endlessly creative.
Apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal make it easy to send money to others.
Sounds too good to be true?
That’s because it is.
No one, especially some stranger on the internet, can exponentially grow your money immediately.
If you hit the link, your phone can be infected with malware that hijacks your account.
Never click an email link requesting login credentials or other personal details, even if it looks legitimate.
Contact customer service through the payment app to verify the request.
Tip
Mobile payment apps probably won’t send you a link to patch your information.
you’ve got the option to do that directly in the app if you gotta.
Never pay for a product sight unseen, even if the deal seems too tempting to pass up.
But they may not get you into the show.
Stick to a reputable secondary ticket market service such as StubHub or Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale service.
The tickets may be pricey, but they’ll be legitimate.
The trouble is, there’s no new version of the app.
Instead, the scammer just took your details and now has access to your account.
Digital payment app updates can include features that strengthen the app’s security measures.
By keeping your app up-to-date, you could further protect yourself from scams.
Security deposit scam
Finding a new apartment can be stressful, especially in competitive real estate markets.
Don’t choose the link to claim your prize because your fake winnings will be a real loss.
The scammer may be able to steal your account details or infect your mobile gear with malware.
Accidental payment scam
You receive a payment from someone you don’t know.
Then, that someone contacts you saying the payment was a mistake and asking you to return the money.
Like the good person you’re, you send the stranger back their funds.
These services can be convenient and cost-effective ways to send and receive funds.
You just need to be vigilant about monitoring your account for any suspicious activity and use common sense.
These tips can help.
you could also file a complaint with theFederal Trade Commissionand theFBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.