The Internet has undoubtedly simplified our everyday lives. Whether we want to order a pizza, look for a handyman or contact a company's customer service - search engines provide us with the information we need in a matter of seconds. But there are also dangers lurking because not all telephone numbers and websites displayed are real. In the worst case, we end up with criminals who are after our money or our data.
The pitfall of the Internet: fake phone numbers and websites
We all know the situation: we are looking for a service phone number, but the company's official website does not give us any information. So we google it. And this is exactly where the danger lurks. Scammers mingle with real contacts, provide fake phone numbers or create deceptively real websites to lure us into a trap.
The consequences of a call or click
What happens if we call a fake number or visit a fake website? We risk giving away personal information or paying for a service that doesn't exist. The consequences are varied and range from minor inconveniences to major financial losses.
Safety net on the Internet: How do I protect myself?
There are various strategies to avoid falling for these tricks. Firstly, you should not blindly rely on search engines. Always check the company's official website first for contact information. You should also be skeptical about strangely long or complicated telephone numbers and web addresses - they could indicate fraud.
And then the golden rule applies: never give out personal information or make payments without verifying the authenticity of the website or phone number. In this case, a healthy dose of caution and patience is definitely better than a quick click, which can become expensive afterwards.
Also read: Recurrence of dubious spam calls: “Do you prefer to drink red or white wine?”
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