Golden Rules to Protect Yourself Against Scams

There are hundreds of things you might do to protect yourself from scams and, as some of my loyal readers know, it seems not a week goes by that I don't see a scam in process. In fact, there are so many it's very difficult to remember them all. But what if I could distill all that advice into just a few "golden rules" that would pretty much guarantee you won't get caught in a scam? That's what I have set out to do here -- boiling down the lessons into just these tips, viz., golden rules to protect yourself and others from becoming a victim of the myriad of scams going on today, so read on!

Before I start though, it's important to point out that sometimes, by following them, you may end up rejecting perfectly honest approaches and very good opportunities. My aim is to keep you out of trouble. And, if you observe these rules to protect yourself from scams, adding just a dash of common sense, you'll almost certainly do that.

Don't buy or invest in something that seems too good to be true

It's one of the oldest tricks in the book -- offering a beautiful bargain that seems almost irresistible. Sadly, these days, you can't even trust someone you believe you should -- whether that's a "friend," a relative or an investment adviser. They may be up to no good or they may have been scammed themselves. 
 
Exception: A seller you know well.

Don't accept that someone is who they say they are

Don't allow someone, whom you didn't request or invite, to come into your home. Do not open your door! Even if someone phones to arrange a visit, always find or check their number independently. Or if someone on our doorstep says it's an emergency -- like the need for a bathroom visit or to make an urgent call. Do not let them enter your residence! Wherever you encounter them, remember that an introduction, or a business or identity card proves nothing. Nor does a vehicle with a name on it. Or a phone call that sounds like it comes from someone you know.

Don't spend money to get or earn money

This applies, for example, to lotteries, other supposed competition wins or inheritances, and people claiming they want to share money they won or found. Don't pay in advance for debt restructuring, job "opportunities" or promises of tax savings. Don't pay for training "kits" or supplies for work-from-home programs unless you know, for sure, they work. This is another very old scam.

Don't buy/rent from someone you don't know or haven't checked out

This may seem harsh but it's especially important when making an online purchase. There are so many phony websites, door-to-door traders, contractors, directories, home rentals, etc. It's a simple matter to check them out in the phone book or by doing a Google, Yahoo! or Bing online search on the company name. Seek references. What do others say about them? And NEVER give any card information to strangers, unless you have checked them out, even if they seem legitimate, don't do it!

Protect yourself and your confidential information

Don't give it out in response to an inquiry that you didn't initiate. Use services like PayPal, one-off credit card numbers (from your card provider) and prepaid debit cards to limit your exposure to card fraud. When buying online, check for "https" in the address line. If that "s" is not there, don't give any information and don't buy. And leave your Social Security card and unneeded credit/store cards at home. There is always a chance that someone, somewhere will appropriate one of your unused credit cards or a piece of your identification. Woo is he who carries with him stuff that he does not need.

Don't make hasty decisions

No matter how persuasive an offer seems or how much a rep insists you need to agree on a deal now to get a discount, don't do it! Never agree to buy something on the spot, especially at your front door or in response to a telemarketing call. An honest person would allow you time to think over an offer. An exception might be an advertised limited-time offer, but even some of these are phony. Always be sure that you know the seller, even them take time to consider the merchandise before making an 'on the spot' decision. Caution is the best policy.

Only donate to charities you know

Don't give money to panhandlers or doorstep collectors. Don't donate to store collection boxes or "tin-rattlers" unless you know for sure their cause is genuine. I encourage you to donate to charities but send your money directly to them, and then only after checking them out. Remember that scammers will do almost anything to get at your hard earned cash, including stooping so far as forming a bogus charity.

Use reputable security software on your PC and keep it up to date

Opt for products with "Internet Security" or similar wording rather than straight anti-virus programs -- and preferably ones that integrate with your web browser. Regularly check that you're using the latest version and that it automatically updates its malware definitions, such as Norton, which I highly recommend. Ignore pop-ups and other warnings that your machine is infected that don't come from this program. And never pay more money in response to such warnings.

Don't click on links and attachments in unsolicited, unchecked messages or social networks

You can't trust the sender or poster, even if you know them. I am sure you'll be tempted to do so sometimes but if you absolutely want to avoid all risks, just don't. Otherwise, if you really must, or it's something like an e-card greeting, write to the sender and confirm they sent it before doing anything else. Remember, a scammer would like nothing better than to get at your personal information – even on your own computer, programs like keylogger, mertz, and granheim, can be loaded into a simple message or link, implant itself on your computer... Need I say more?

Never wire cash

Unless you're sending money to someone you know, don't use electronic cash transfer services. And never send partial refunds from "overpayment" or "secret shopper" checks you received. 
 
Oftentimes scammers target children, seniors or other vulnerable people. If you have such people in your family, do everything you can to make them aware of the risks, and to protect them. First, as I always advise, you can avoid most scams just by being a natural skeptic. Start from the position that what you're being told or offered, or the web page you landed on, might be a scam; that way, you'll actually spot most of them. Then, assume that the more a person tries to convince you it's a great deal, the more likely it is a scam! 
 
As I have said, some of these rules might seem a little harsh and you might want to temper them with a little bit of common sense. But be warned: The more you do, the more likely you are to become a scam victim. To truly protect yourself from scams, play it safe! Caution, it seems, is the best advice that I can give you.