Beware of ongoing scams and fake news

Recent global events are driving an increase in scams and a slew of misinformation online. As we experienced with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals often strike in a time of crisis, using humanitarian causes or false news updates to prey on the compassion of global digital citizens.

To help you combat misinformation and stay ahead of the most recent scams, we’ve listed a few tips:

Watch out for fake news

With countless videos, images and news content surrounding current global events it can be hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. Misinformation in our digital world is nothing new, but in times of crisis it’s easy to let our emotions take over, making us interpret, read, comment or share stories and content without first applying the necessary critical thinking. Always double check to ensure the information you consume and share online is accurate.

Tips to help you verify news you see online:

• Confirm the source is reputable; most credible news sites have an About Us page, with contact information for the editor or journalist who posted the piece
• Check the date and time of images posted, or use Google’s reverse image search tool to find the source of the photo and who to attribute it to
• To check facts, try using sites like snopes.com or do a news search to see if reputable outlets are reporting the same information.

Beware of donation scams

With the outpouring of global support from citizens who want to donate to those impacted by current events and other humanitarian efforts, unfortunately, there are scammers looking to exploit this compassion and make a profit. From crypto scams to social media scams, fraudulent web banners and email phishing scams, cyber criminals are leveraging every tactic to take advantage of unsuspecting donors.

Tips to help you donate safely

• Never click on unexpected text message links, web banners or email attachments requesting your financial support
• Do your research first before donating to fully understand where your money is going. Only send donations to reputable charities whose platform offers a secure method for your transaction
• Be mindful of extraordinary pleas for support from individuals via social media or instant messages, or urgent threats to send money

For more tips on how to verify fake news and protect yourself from common scams, check out these tips.