Part 2: Real-life fraud cases to learn from

You may remember in a previous article, we mentioned that fraud is on the rise. And while it remains an ongoing issue affecting people around the world, numerous individuals and organisations are working tirelessly to confront it. 

To help you protect yourself, we will highlight several real-life fraud cases to familiarise you with different types of scams, so you don't fall victim to them.   

First, how does fraud happen?

Fraud occurs when a scammer tricks an individual into sharing sensitive information about themselves or their organisation. Although the goal is almost always money-related, fraudsters' motives may extend beyond direct financial gain.

In any case, the consequences of falling for a scam can be devastating. That's why knowing what tactics scammers employ is crucial. 

Here are some common ones: 

1. Click the link below...

Hadi had just received an email from his colleague Mariam, who he's known for years. The email stated he could access an important presentation they had been working on by clicking the link below.  

So, Hadi clicked the link. He was redirected to another window where he was asked to enter his work username and password. Thinking this was a standard security measure, Hadi put in his details and clicked the "Enter" button.  

As soon as he did, Hadi began to feel uneasy. So, he rechecked the email and discovered that the email address wasn't Mariam's — it only closely resembled hers. 

Hadi had just fallen victim to a phishing attack. The link he clicked on was designed to steal his login details and gain access to trade secrets. 

Of course, Hadi contacted his company's IT department right away and changed his password. 

And if his experience has taught him anything, it's that checking the sender's email address and looking out for spelling and grammar mistakes is essential, as those are tell-tale signs of phishing attacks.

2. Deal Alert! 

Maha was scrolling through Facebook when an ad for shirts caught her attention. She had been searching for affordable shirts to wear to the gym, and finally, it seemed like she had found what she was looking for.

Maha clicked on the ad and selected her size and preferred colours. After reading the glowing customer reviews, she felt confident finalising her order. She headed to the checkout page, entered her credit card information, and completed the purchase.  

A few days later, she started receiving SMS notifications about transactions on her credit card, which was unusual since she didn't recall making those purchases. 

It turned out that the t-shirt website was a scam, and Maha’s credit card information was being used to make unauthorised purchases. So, she immediately froze her card and requested a replacement through our mobile banking app. 

Safe to say, Maha now knows how important it is to ensure the websites she visits are legitimate. She always checks that the website addresses display "HTTPS" and a padlock icon, and that they're Verified by Visa before making any purchase. 

3. You've been selected as a winner!  

Laith, a dedicated Instagram user, received a direct message from an account claiming that he was one of two lucky winners of an online lottery. 

All he had to do to claim his half of the prize was provide his details, including his full name, phone number, and bank account details.  

Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity to win a large sum of money, Laith provided the information requested. He was then informed that there was one last step — he had to pay a 100 JOD admin fee, and once he did, his lottery money would be transferred. 

So, Laith paid the amount and waited patiently. Once a few days had passed, he decided to message the account again, only to find that it had disappeared. 

Unfortunately, Laith had fallen for a lottery scam, a common method that scammers use to lure people into giving their personal information and paying an amount at once.   

There are several key takeaways from Laith's experience. First, trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Second, it's best not to message back any account you don't know in person. Finally, be extra cautious of people pressuring you to make a payment within a short timeframe.   

The bottom line

Fraudsters may have many tricks up their sleeves, but there are also many steps you can take to protect yourself. These include not sharing your personal information by email or on social media platforms and monitoring your bank account for suspicious activity. 

And remember, if you think a scammer may be trying to deceive you into giving them money or your private details for other purposes, double-check with the relevant parties (for example, your bank or company's IT department) before taking any action.    

This way, you will be able to beat them at their own game!