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An example of a scam would be love scams, where money would be traded for sexual services
A scam is a term used to describe any fraudulent business or scheme that takes money or other goods from an unsuspecting person.
A scam is a term used to describe any fraudulent business or scheme that takes money or other goods from an unsuspecting person.
There are many types of scams on the internet, thus students have to be very cautious when facing these threats online.
There are many types of scams on the internet, thus students have to be very cautious when facing these threats online.
Main Types of Scams
Main Types of Scams
In this website, we will teach you how to avoid and look out for the following scams:
In this website, we will teach you how to avoid and look out for the following scams:
E-commerce scams
E-commerce scams
Fraud in commerce is called payment fraud and is basically any type of illegal or false transaction.
Loan scam
Loan scam
SMSes or WhatsApp messages are sent offering loans and loan services to random users. As part of these scams, the scammers may ask for personal information like NRIC and contact numbers, Singpass details and bank account numbers. When handed over, the information is used to harass or threaten victims for payment.
Phishing Scams
Phishing Scams
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. It occurs when an attacker, masquerading as a trusted entity, dupes a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.
How do you spot these scams?
How do you spot these scams?
You must use this skill to determine and handle scams in the case of an encounter.
You must use this skill to determine and handle scams in the case of an encounter.
Stop
Stop
Do not respond immediately when opening any message or email from people you do not know well.
Be alert when clicking on any links or downloading any attachments from the internet. They might contain viruses or spyware.
Think
Think
If you are suspicious of any company or person, verify the information provided from multiple sources.
If an offer seems too good to be true, verify it as it may be a scam.
Do
Do
Mark as junk or delete the email, and report it to the social network provider.
Consult you parents or adult of authority when in doubt.
E-commerce Scams
E-commerce Scams
What are they?
What are they?
E-commerce scams are illegal or false transactions made on online shopping platforms, and can be either the seller or the buyer making the scam.
Statistics
Statistics
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
E-commerce websites like Carousell and Shopee have a lot of e-commerce scams conducted. In Singapore, e-commerce scams are one of the most prevalent dangers that you may face according to statistics.
When purchasing items from the internet, always stay alert and stay away from scammers. We will give you information on how to avoid such scams below.
Types of E-commerce Scams
Types of E-commerce Scams
Identity Theft
Identity Theft
The scammer carries out transactions using different accounts, using the accounts or personal information they stole from victims to buy items online.
Chargeback fraud
Chargeback fraud
This occurs when customers purposely ask for a chargeback/refund from the issuing bank after buying items, stating that their credit card or account details were stolen, and they get to keep the goods but get a refund
Merchant Fraud
Merchant Fraud
Goods are sold at cheap prices, but they are never delivered.
How to spot E-commerce Scams
How to spot E-commerce Scams
Repeated declined transactions- which can show that they are trying to guess sensitive information that they do not have access to. (personal information)
Scammer will completely lose contact with you after getting the goods/money
How to protect yourself from E-commerce Scams while shopping online
How to protect yourself from E-commerce Scams while shopping online
Shop on a secure website
Shop on a secure website
Do research on the website before placing an order
Do research on the website before placing an order
Check the seller's feedback history and see if it is reliable
Check the seller's feedback history and see if it is reliable
Always try to arrange for a physical transaction
Always try to arrange for a physical transaction
Loan Scams
Loan Scams
What are they?
What are they?
Loan scams are SMSes or WhatsApp messages that are sent to you, offering you loans or loan services.
In future, you may encounter many of such scams. Below, we will guide you on how to avoid such scams.Loan scams are SMSes or WhatsApp messages that are sent to you, offering you loans or loan services.
Statistics
Statistics
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
If you compare the statistics between the e-commerce scams and loan scams, even though the loan scam cases are around one-third of the e-commerce scams, the amount lost is much higher.
This shows how dangerous loan scams are, they exploit human's greed for money. Always watch out for this scam, especially after you grow up. We will give you information on how to avoid such scams below.
What you may encounter during a loan scam:
What you may encounter during a loan scam:
- The scammer will claim to be from a trusted moneylender.
- When the person shows his interest, the scammer will send instructions for him or her to transfer money as deposit
- Once the transaction is done and the personal information is given, the person will most likely be unable to be contacted
- Not only does the person lose money, but the information given to the scammers can be used to harass or threaten the victim for more payment
What to look out for in a loan scam
What to look out for in a loan scam
High processing fees
High processing fees
The scammer demands a large sum of money before supposedly giving out the loan.
Illegal advertising means
Illegal advertising means
Using social media or SMS to advertise their loans instead of using their own websites or near their business areas.
Automatic approval
Automatic approval
The loan scammers give the victim a "guaranteed approval" for the loan
Urgent Response
Urgent Response
The scammer demands immediate response from the victim
No physical office
No physical office
The scammers do not have an actual address and operate from their mobile phones
No loan contract
No loan contract
Reputable loan organisations would always provide documentation for someone loaning money.
Usually, people conducting loan scams are not credible and they would not go through the formal process of money lending.
What to do when encountering loan scams
What to do when encountering loan scams
Call 1800-722-6688, the anti-scam helpline to receive assistance from authorities
File a police report immediately
Report to your card issuer or bank if you have used your credit card or bank account to pay the scammer
Report it to major credit reporting agencies like Money Authority of Singapore (MAS) as well
Below is an example of a loan scam email:
Below is an example of a loan scam email:
Warning signs from this loan scam message
Warning signs from this loan scam message
Sent by SMS
The first warning is that it is sent by SMS, which is illegal by law. Reputable lenders can only advertise their loans on their own websites.
Fast Confirmation
The next red flag is that they promised fast confirmation. This is suspicious, as normal money lending process requires a long time, due to thorough checks before the loan can be approved.
No documentation
The last warning sign is that they said "No docs required". They spelled documents in it's short form, which is not something a reputable organization will do.
Additionally, formal money lending always requires documentation, which shows how they do not go through the formal process of money lending.
Phishing Scams
Phishing Scams
What are they?
What are they?
They are mostly in the form of Emails or texts, with a link for you to click ( can also be SMS messages, or even google calendar invites which can contain phishing links)
Used to extort personal information from you ( like credit card information etc.)
Most of them look like they are from trusted companies (e.g Netflix, Microsoft, Spotify etc. )
They can download a ransomware virus on your computer, which will result in your files being encrypted.
What to do if you encounter it?
What to do if you encounter it?
- The best thing to do will be to ignore it.
- Report it to the police
You can recognize such scams from:
You can recognize such scams from:
- Spelling mistakes
- Suspicious email addresses
Here is an example of a phishing scam email:
You can see that it looks very real. HOWEVER,
You can see that it looks very real. HOWEVER,
Think about whether you have any connections with the company who sent you the email.
Think about whether you have any connections with the company who sent you the email.
- If yes, contact them to confirm if the email is genuine.
- If no, then ignore the email and immediately report it to the police or relevant authorities.
- Should you have pressed the link and fallen prey to the scam, immediately contact the police to report this matter. They may be able to retrieve your files, etc.
How to protect your device against such scams
How to protect your device against such scams
- Do not click on any suspicious email/link that you see.
- Make sure to verify your sources before clicking on a link
- Install anti-virus software so that your device is safe against receiving such emails ( e.g Norton, McAfee, etc.)
- Back up your files regularly ( Do not use home internet, use external hard disks or cloud storage)
- Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date
Visit the scam alert website @
Visit the scam alert website @
It is a very useful website with many stats which helps Singaporeans to fight scams!
Do go and check out the website to get highlights on the scams occurring in Singapore and to find out more information!
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