If you follow these security measures and tips, you are sure to never get scammed online in Nigeria.
1. Be cautious about providing your sensitive personally identifiable information such as NIN, BVN or Card details online, first do a research about the platform especially if it is new to you as most of these platforms are operated by Cyber criminals.
2. Have a particular Credit / Debit Card solely dedicated for making online payments or for things like POS withdrawal.
Extra Tips: Don’t use that your debit card linked to your bank account with 10 million Naira balance to withdraw money from POS operators Oh. Some of them are criminals. Instead transfer the needed amount to another bank and use it’s linked debit card for making POS Withdrawal. Better to be safe than sorry, abi?
3. Avoid searching for contacts of organizations such as banks, courier services, businesses on google e.g DHL Port Harcourt office phone number or UBA customer care line etc. Most times cyber criminals (scammers) pose as these businesses online to prey on unsuspecting victims.
Extra Tips: Always visit the official website or apps of the organization to get their contact details which is always available on their platforms.
4. Never store your passwords and other sensitive information in your smartphones, so that incase it gets lost or stolen, you don’t have to worry about losing your private information in the process..
Extra Tips: Always activate the ‘Find Device‘ feature that comes with almost every smartphone, so in the case of theft or misplacement of the phone, you can easily remotely wipe all your data.
5. Always use strong passwords together with Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for logging in to websites or platforms containing your sensitive information such as online banking portals or apps.
Extra Tips: Avoid using the same password for all your online accounts.
6. Avoid clicking on attachments sent to your email from unknown sources. These attachments sometimes contain malware which can steal sensitive information and data from your device.
7. Do not download apps from unknown sources, some of these apps contains malicious codes that cyber criminals use to gain unauthorized access into your device in order to steal your information or even worse your money.
8. Don’t pay for goods or services online before first receiving value for your money. Always insist to receive the goods or services paid for first or request for pay on delivery in the case of goods purchased from e-commerce sites or businesses online.
Extra Tips: If you get an item at a ridiculous price online and think it is too good to be true, then it probably is. Avoid greed as it makes one think irrationally and leads to wrong decision making.
9. Be wary of investing in high yield interest platforms that promise ridiculous amounts of ROI within a short time.. E.g 300% returns in 1 week and so on, just run Oh, because almost all these kinds of platforms are operated by Cyber criminals.
These are just a few tips and security measures for avoiding online scams in Nigeria. Stay tuned for more..
