Join Learn Online Security today for this educational workshop on how to protect your small business. The holidays are prime time for hackers and scammers. Don’t let your business be an easy target. Learn the most common Christmas-season scams and discover quick, practical steps to keep your data, staff, and customers safe. Join for free today! https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

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It's that time of year again, holiday season is upon us and we all love good news, but if you ever get a message saying "You have won!"- PAUSE before you celebrate 🛑 Prize and sweepstakes scams are some of the most reported frauds in North America. They’re designed to trigger excitement and urgency so you’ll act fast… before realizing it’s fake. 🚩 Red Flags to Watch For 1️⃣ You didn’t actually enter. If you can’t remember signing up, that’s the first clue. Real contests require you to enter first. 2️⃣ They ask for money or “processing fees.” Legitimate prizes never require payment, shipping costs, or taxes up front. 3️⃣ They pressure you to act immediately. “Claim your prize in 10 minutes!” is a classic manipulation tactic. Real organizations don’t rush winners. 4️⃣ They ask for personal info or banking details. Never share your SIN, banking info, or credit card to “verify” your win. 5️⃣ The message looks unofficial. Misspelled words, random email addresses, or social media accounts that look new are all giveaways. 🧠 How to Protect Yourself - Pause before you press. - Verify the source. Look up the official company website or call their published customer service number. - Never click suspicious links. If you really did win, the company will contact you through verified channels. - Talk it out. When in doubt, share it here in the community — someone may have seen the same scam. 💬 Lets have a Discussion Have you ever been contacted about a “prize” that turned out to be fake? How did you figure out it was a scam — or what do you look for now before you celebrate? Let’s share our experiences and make sure none of us fall for the glittering bait again. 🎉🛡️

Investment scams, particularly in cryptocurrency, are rampant on social media. This was the scam I fell for. I did my 'research' and I thought I was ok to proceed. I was not and I lost thousands of dollars. Scammers promise high returns with little risk and often create a sense of urgency. We know this!! Research and I mean research any investment opportunity thoroughly and avoid sending money to anyone who contacts you directly on social media. Has anyone here been affected by a cryptocurrency scam??

Fraudsters use various tactics to lure unsuspecting users into their schemes, including: - Fake Profiles: Scammers create bogus accounts, sometimes impersonating real people, to build trust.  - Malicious Links: They send messages containing harmful links that install malware or steal data.  - Emotional Manipulation: Playing on fear, love, or urgency, they convince victims to act without thinking.  - Bogus Investment Opportunities: They entice victims with promises of easy wealth through fake financial schemes.  - Social Engineering Tricks: They craft messages designed to gather personal information through quizzes, surveys, or direct requests.  Signs That You’re Dealing with a Social Media Scammer 🚨 Recognizing these red flags can help you stay safe: - Poor Grammar and Spelling Mistakes – Many scammers use unnatural phrasing or odd formatting.  - Brand-New Profiles with Few Friends or Posts – A lack of personal content is a sign of a fake account.  - Duplicate Friend Requests – If you receive a request from someone you’re already connected with, it may be an impersonation scam.  - Unsolicited Messages Containing Links – Avoid clicking links in unexpected messages, as they may lead to phishing sites.  - Requests for Money via Untraceable Methods – Scammers often ask for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.  - Unbelievable Deals or Limited-Time Offers – If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.  - Requests to Move the Conversation Off-Platform – Fraudsters may push to communicate via email, WhatsApp, or text to avoid detection. Specifically WhatsApp! How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams Follow these precautions to reduce your risk of falling victim: 1. Think Before You Click – Don’t interact with suspicious links or attachments.  2. Verify Identities – Contact people through trusted means before sending any money or information.  3. Enable Privacy Settings – Limit what strangers can see on your profile.  4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords – Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts.  5. Be Skeptical of Online Strangers – If someone you don’t know reaches out unexpectedly, question their intentions.  6. Report and Block Suspicious Accounts – Social media platforms have tools to report fraud.  7. Monitor Your Accounts for Unauthorized Activity – Stay vigilant for any signs of compromise.