A hoax is a false claim or story that is spread to deceive people. A phishing scam, on the other hand, is an attempt to trick people into giving away personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
What is a Hoax?
Hoaxes are usually created to cause annoyance or confusion. Hoaxes are simply false or misleading information that is spread to cause confusion or panic.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send emails or text messages masquerading as a legitimate organization in an attempt to trick individuals into providing personal information, such as credit card numbers, account passwords, or Social Security numbers. The goal of the phisher is typically to use this information to commit fraud.
Phishing and a hoax – Key differences
A hoax is simply a false story or claim that is spread online to trick people. Hoaxes can be harmless fun like an email forwarded about a supposed celebrity death, or they can be more malicious, like false reports of natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Either way, the goal of a hoax is not to steal your personal information or money.
A phishing scam, on the other hand, is a type of online fraud that is designed to steal your personal information or money. Phishing scams typically involve emails or websites that look legitimate but are fake. The scammers will try to get you to enter your personal information or login credentials into these fake sites, which they can then use to commit identity theft or fraud.
So, if you’re ever unsure about an email or website, err on the side of caution and don’t enter any sensitive information. And if you’re ever unsure about whether something online is a hoax or not, do a quick Google search – chances are someone else has already debunked it!
Why is it called a phishing scam?
Phishing scams are called phishing because they use email or other messages to “fish” for personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or account details. The message may look like it comes from a legitimate source, but it is actually from a scammer. The scammer may even create a fake website that looks like the real thing to get you to enter your information.
How to avoid being a victim of phishing?
When you are online, you need to be careful of scam artists who may try to take advantage of you. There are a few things you can do to avoid being scammed:
1. Be cautious of any unsolicited emails or messages you receive. If someone you don’t know tries to contact you out of the blue, be suspicious. They may be trying to phish your personal information.
2. Don’t click on any links in suspicious emails or messages. These links could take you to a fake website that looks real but is designed to steal your information.
3. Don’t enter your personal information into any forms on websites that you’re not familiar with. This includes giving out your credit card number or social security number.
4. Pay attention to the URL of websites that you visit. Make sure that the URL starts with “HTTPS” as this means the site is secure and less likely to be a hoax site.
5. Keep your security software up to date and run regular scans for viruses and malware. This will help protect your computer from being infected by malicious software that could steal your personal information.
By following these tips, you can help keep yourself safe from scams and phishing attempts online.
What are examples of phishing?
For example, you might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, asking you to click on a link and enter your login details. But if you do, the criminal will now have access to your account.
Another common type of phishing scam is when someone pretending to be from a company like PayPal or eBay sends you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your account details. Again, if you do this, the criminal will have access to your account and could steal your money.
So, how can you protect yourself from phishing scams? The best way is to be aware of what they are and how they work. Don’t click on any links in emails or messages unless you’re sure they’re genuine. And if you’re ever unsure, contact the organization directly (using their official website or phone number) to check whether the message is real.
What are examples of a scam?
There are many examples of scams, but some of the most common include:
– pyramid schemes: These are fraudulent investment schemes where people are promised unrealistic returns if they invest money or recruit others to do so. Ultimately, everyone involved loses their money except for the person at the top of the pyramid.
-Ponzi schemes: Similar to pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes are fraudulent investment schemes where people are promised high returns if they invest money. However, instead of using new investments to pay off old investors like in a pyramid scheme, the money from new investors is used to pay the original investor their promised return. This can continue for a while until there is no one left to invest and the scheme collapses.
Photo by Mikhail Nilov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-person-in-a-black-hoodie-typing-6964348/
