28 Nov 2024
Do you know, with technological advances, people, especially those living in Portugal, who send money to Nigeria from Portugal are not safe from falling victim to these online scams? A report from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity revealed that the incidences of online scams rose to 2023 by a staggering 25%. As more Nigerians move to Portugal, knowing what kinds of scams are out there and how to avoid them is essential. Now, let’s explore some typical frauds and valuable suggestions on protecting yourself online.
The world of scams is not a passive environment; it is actively changing with the development of new media platforms. Scammers usually use the victim's trust and weaknesses to steal from them. A recent study from the Nigerian Communications Commission revealed that Nigeria lost more than $ 8 billion to internet fraudsters in 2023 alone. This increases the need for all members of society to be informed and alert of any such threats, as the figure shows that even churches are not immune.
Fraud can be typed in many ways, but one of the most common types is phishing scams, which steal your hard-earned money when you send money from Portugal to Nigeria. Such frauds are most commonly presented with emails, messages, or phone calls, which look like they are from some reputed organizations such as banks or government departments. For example, you may receive an email informing you that your bank account will be blocked because of security issues, so you must update your data. Such emails may appear very authentic, but most contain links that direct one to a phony website with intentions to swindle your identity.
If you start feeling uncomfortable, you are advised not to click on the links and not go further.
Advance fee scams initially offer the victim large amounts of money on the condition that the victim pays a deposit. For instance, you might receive a message telling you that you have won the lottery or gotten some inheritance from a distant relative.
If you want to boost the protection factor of your accounts, then ensure that you use the right passwords. Do not use frequently used words or easy guesses, such as date of birth. However, what should be done is to combine letters, numbers, and symbols.
Using this technology, a user has to provide two types of data verification to log in to his or her account. Even if someone gets your password, they still cannot penetrate your account if you type in the second form of identification.
If you are a victim of a scam, you have to make sure that you get to report the incident to the appropriate legal department. To combat online scams in Portugal, you can contact the Polícia Judiciária. Further, you might contact regional consumer advocacy groups for extra help.
If you think you fell for a scam, get help right away. Numerous organizations can assist you in recovering your stolen money or even reporting a case to legal advisors.
It is relatively easy to lose your way on the World Wide Web, and it becomes even more challenging since so many frauds target people, specifically Nigerians, who reside in Portugal and have plans to make a money transfer from Portugal to Nigeria back home. The best way to protect yourself from these threats is to be more informed and active.
Stop giving your health a heads-up; do something about it! Spend 10 minutes reviewing your online safety habits today and learn how to avoid being scammed. ACE Money Transfer is a fast, secure, and easy way to send money back home to your family. As much as we pride ourselves on safety and satisfaction, customers can rely on us for their financial needs.
Some of the most common online crimes include phishing and advance fee online crime.
Most phishing emails contain telltale signs like wrong spelling, noisy emotive words, and a sense of urgency for you to provide individual details or an odd sender’s address.
If someone falls victim, the scam must be reported to the relevant authorities, and help must be sought.
A strong password must be created and used alongside the account, two-factor authentication must be activated, and the link and attachment should be clicked wisely.
If you are a victim of online scams, you can file a complaint with the Polícia Judiciária or consumer protection organizations in Portugal.
