What is SCAM?

The term SCAM in the computer or Internet world has been loosely defined.

However, the exact definition of a SCAM is when a person tries to cheat you by first giving you a good offer but later on going back on this, as a result of which you lose money.

An example of this is the lottery scam. For example, a person calls or emails you and tells you that you have won a lottery prize, but to get the money there is a small processing fee, which you have to pay before the money is sent to you.

On hearing this many people believe what they are told joy and immediately pay the fee to get the big reward, however after paying the fee the scammer simply disappears and the victim never hears from him or her again.

Scammers have many ways of approaching their victims, and some of them can be personal. A scammer can email you to inform you about an offer, or he can send you an SMS, or sometimes even call you on your personal cell number.

Another type of SCAM that is extremely harmful and dangerous is the phishing scam, in which the scammer impersonates a legitimate online company and compels or convinces you to pay money or give valuable, confidential information to the scammer.

Fortunately, with adequate skills and proper knowledge you can detect when somebody is trying to cheat you. Make sure you are aware of the major Internet scams and keep your wits about you!