Types of scams

We all love a day at the beach, but when the weather heats up, we need to know how to protect ourselves, to stay safe in a changing environment where conditions, people and situations can catch us off guard.

Staying safe financially is just the same. Let's see how.

At times we're all vulnerable and untrustworthy people can take advantage of this by influencing us to hand over our money or by tricking us into doing something that might have serious financial consequences.

This is called a scam. One of the best ways to avoid scams is to know how to spot them.

Scammers use tactics to gain the trust of their victims or to scare them into complying.

For example, scammers may play on your emotions to scare you into handing over your money.

That's why it's important to protect yourself - just like being sun smart when outdoors.

The best way to do this is by being informed and taking the right precautions.

Would you go to the beach without sunscreen, a hat or drinking water?

You can protect yourself from getting burnt by securing your computer and accounts, protecting your personal information, and making sure you stop when something doesn't feel right.

Getting scammed can feel horrible, but just like the lifeguards at the beach, there are services to help.

If you're uncertain or think you've been scammed you should stop contact with the scammer and contact your bank or financial institution straight away.

Scams change all the time, but it's important to be aware of the different types so you can steer clear of them.

Let's take a look at a few of the most common ones.

Have you ever been sold the idea of something amazing only to be

disappointed when the dream is nothing like the reality?

An investment scam is similar and often draws people in with 'get rich quick' schemes focusing on low risk, high return offers that feel too good to be true.

Don't be fooled or you may see your valuable time and money wash away.

Dating scams are another way scammers can take advantage of

people. Exploiting the emotions of someone looking for love, scammers pretend to be a romantic interest, tricking their victims into believing they're in a real relationship.

Scammers build elaborate tales of great investment schemes or cries for help, including funds to survive, travel or make ends meet.

When the truth comes out. Victims can be left heartbroken, embarrassed and broke.

You've probably heard of fishing, but have you heard of phishing with a P-H?

With this type of scam the scammer pretends to be a trusted third party, like your bank, to lure you into giving away your personal information. They send fake emails, texts

or communications asking you to click a web link that downloads malicious software, asks you to share your information like your login and password, or to move money to keep it safe.

If you're not vigilant, you could easily fall for their scam - hook, line and sinker - providing them with all they need to access your accounts and steal your money.

Another type of scam is where scammers con you into giving them remote access to your device by impersonating a trusted organisation and then they access your personal apps and accounts.

Employment scams occur when a scammer preys on job hunters.

They may trick them into using their accounts to move other people's money or to pay for training or tools they believe are essential for the job. By the time the victim realises there are no real gains to be made, it's too late. They've already moved the money or paid the scammer.

These are just a few examples of scams and unfortunately, as society evolves, so too will scammers, by finding new and more cunning ways to deceive.

With a little know how you can take action to detect and prevent scams and help keep your personal information and your money safe.