With 254 million users worldwide, PayPal continues to dominate its industry as one of the world’s top online transaction methods. Day in and day out, the platform is home to countless transactions, taking place across borders and industries alike. Though Paypal has made it easier than ever to conduct digital transactions, that is not to say there aren’t any hazards that come with using it. Something that has infiltrated our industry of trucking and transportation, scamming, has also made its way into the corridors of PayPal, preying on unsuspecting victims. In today’s blog, we’ll be taking a look at how to avoid phishing, a prominent type of scam on Paypal.
Phishing
Depending on how long you’ve used the internet, phishing might even appear to you as an old foe, as it’s one of the oldest cyberfraud practices. Phishing has been around since, well, the early days of the internet and email. One of the reasons it has persisted for so long? For one, people continue to fall for it.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is when the fraudster plants ‘bait’ – or some kind of incentive – for the victim to send over money and/or other sensitive materials. Perhaps the greatest difficulty in combatting phishing is that phishers can be extremely cunning, as their messages are designed to look genuine and legitimate. Phishers can, and will, pose as everything from international banks to people in your local area to extort money from you.
How Do I Avoid Phishing?
Do just that – avoid phishers at all costs. You should not engage with phishing messages under any circumstances, as once you have, you are one step closer to having your money seized from you, increasing your chances of becoming a victim. Keep the chance at an absolute zero by deleting any phishing messages you’ve received and by blocking any email addresses that send you them. Once you have, carry on as normal.
Charity Phishers
Possibly the most egregious and reprehensible type of phishing, charity phishers have become a notable threat among PayPal users for their simple, yet damaging tactics. Charity phishers simply create a PayPal account pretending to be a charity organization and extort money from users who think they are donating to a legitimate charity. Much like standard phishing, do not engage with any quasi-charities whatsoever to ensure your safety and security.
Choose AWA for Your Transportation Collection Needs!
AWA operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning, if we cannot collect, you owe us nothing. If you have unpaid freight invoices and are not sure what to do next, call 662-892-8591 to speak with one of AWA’s client specialists today or Place a Direct Claim Today! For more information on our agency practices and methods, view our AWA Collection Process.
