Be savvy - don't get scammed
Advice for teenagers
If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a SCAM.
A scam is an illegal or unfair attempt to obtain your money or personal details. The Internet and mobile phones are favourite hunting grounds and many of these scams are targeting Irish teenagers.
Some of the most common scams include:
- Expensive ringtone charges which may be linked to subscription services
- SMS scams based on text message subscription services
- 1550 lines asking you to claim a 'prize' such as a holiday or an MP3 player when you haven't entered a competition
- Unexpected requests for your personal details on social networking sites like Bebo, Myspace and Facebook
- Chain letters
Ringtones
Mobile users may receive offers of 'free' ringtones, games or screensavers. If it is not made clear that you have to accept a subscription service to obtain the free gift then you are being scammed
SMS scams
One of the most common mobile phone scams involves sending text messages to your phone asking you to enter a competition or play a game.
These messages are charged at the premium rate so you could end up with a huge bill if you engage in a text conversation with these numbers.
'Prize offers'
These scams operate on a similar basis to the ringtone and SMS scams. You may receive a text saying you have won a cash prize, holiday or an MP3 player. You are asked to reply to the number to claim the prize even though you have not entered a competition.
Often these prizes are non-existent and all replies to these numbers are charged at the premium rate. These scams also use email and website pop-ups to hook their victims.
You also need to be wary of prize offer scratch cards inserted in magazines or newspapers, as these can also involve premium rate phone calls to claim your 'prize'.
Social networking sites
Sites like Bebo, Facebook and MySpace are great for making new friends and online chat. But they are also a prime target for con artists and identity thieves 'phishing' for your personal and financial details. Phishing is a fraudulent attempt to acquire personal information such as user names, passwords and credit card/bank account details by masquerading as a trustworthy individual or organisation.
One of the most serious scams involves receiving an email from an unknown source, asking you to open an attachment. Once opened, these attachments can steal your address, passwords and bank account/credit cards details.
'Chain letter' scams
There are a lot of "chain letter" type scams to watch out for on social networking sites nowadays. They range from get-rich quick type scams to more sinister schemes. Learn more about chain letter scams and how to deal with them.
Online porn traps
You might think you can take a free peek, but be careful.
Some porn websites can disconnect your computer from your internet service provider and reconnect with a company in another country - and your parents could get a large phone bill!
Or maybe you got your parent's credit card number and typed it in so you could enter a site. The site said you could view for free, but then went ahead and charged the credit card. Try explaining that to your mum or dad afterwards!
Precautions
Don't be a sucker - you can beat these criminals and their scams by taking some simple precautions.
- Never give personal details such as your address, mobile number or bank account number over the phone or online to someone you don't know
- If you order a ringtone or wallpaper for your mobile, make sure you understand what you are accepting.
- Don't reply to texts offering free ringtones, screensavers or games unless you are sure they are free
- If you think you have been targeted by an SMS scam, send STOP to the number and if they continue to contact you report the number to the Data Protection Commissioner
- Always read the small print before agreeing to sign up to text message subscription services and made sure you know the costs
- Don't respond to texts, emails or advertisements asking you to phone a 1550 number to claim a holiday or other prizes unless you have entered the competition
- Don't post personal details such as your address and mobile phone number on websites like Bebo, Facebook and MySpace.
- Apply some common sense if accessing dating websites
- be wary of emails that address you by the wrong name, repeat themselves or look for bank account details
- Ignore emails or pop-ups on web pages that say you've won a prize and ask you to pay a small delivery fee using a credit card or your bank account details. Getting your credit card or bank account details is the goal of this scam.
- If a porn site window appears on your computer and you can't close it, tell your parents immediately.
- Also, never answer emails with 'adults only' subject lines.
Always be sceptical: if a scheme sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Don't panic
If you do fall victim to a scam, don't panic. And don't sit on the problem hoping it will somehow go away - act as soon as you can:
- Talk to your parents, a teacher or someone you trust
- Alert your friends
- Take steps to stop the scam e.g. stop payment if you can
Learn more
Contact the National Consumer Agency
Check out the guides on the Make IT Secure website