With all the scam attempts that exist today on the Internet, it is quite normal that you will end up falling for it at some point. It has happened to me, and I have been working online for years, that is, I am supposed to be an experienced user. But even the smartest can be careless, caught off guard, or have their good intentions taken advantage of. If you have given your details on a fraudulent website, don’t worry, it is not the end. Here we tell you what you have to do.
It is something that almost inevitably, all Internet users will be exposed to, at least once in their life, trying to scam you is the order of the day. And among so many attempts, many of them end up coming to fruition. This is the case of fraudulent pages, which pose as websites of legitimate and well-known companies, which ask for your data, claiming any benefit in exchange, and then try to annoy you. If this sounds familiar to you, or you have ever given your information on a fake website, what we have here will interest you.
How do you know if a page is legitimate?
The first step when you have doubts about a page is to do a little research to check if it is trustworthy. Here are some simple tips:
- Look for the security lock: Before entering your data on any page, make sure it has a lock in the browser’s address bar. If the URL begins with “https://”, it indicates that the connection is secure, although this does not 100% guarantee that the page is legitimate, but it is a good indicator.
- Review the legal notice and privacy policy: legitimate pages usually include a section explaining how they protect your data and give you options to exercise your rights. If you cannot find this information or the data of the website owner, it may be a red flag.
- Do a quick search: enter the name of the page into Google along with words like “reviews” or “scam” to see if other people have reported problems.
What to do if you have already given your data
If you have already entered your information and have questions about the page, don’t worry! You can still take steps to protect yourself. Here are some steps to follow:
Go egosurfing
Egosurfing consists of searching for your own data on the Internet to see if it appears published without your consent. Search for your name, phone number or email address in search engines and social networks. You can also activate Google Alerts to notify you if your data is mentioned on a page. This practice allows you to detect if your data is circulating on the network and act quickly.
Exercise the right to be forgotten
If you find your personal data published without authorization, you can request its deletion using the right to be forgotten. In Spain, you can turn to the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) to exercise this right. Visit their website and complete the application form, attaching your ID to confirm your identity. Companies have a period of one month to respond; If they don’t, you can file a claim with the AEPD.
Notify your bank if you shared financial information
If you provided your bank card or account information, contact your bank immediately to block any possible unauthorized transactions. Many banks allow you to set up real-time motion alerts to detect unexpected charges. Additionally, you can ask them to monitor your account and report any suspicious activity to you.
Tips to avoid falling for scams in the future
Here are some tips that can help you avoid scares in the future:
- Always verify the website: before giving your details, make sure the page is legitimate. You can check the domain name and search for reviews from other users.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Make sure you don’t repeat the same password across multiple services. Consider using a password manager to make it easier for you to manage and remember your passwords securely.
- Be wary of offers that are too good: if something seems “too good to be true,” it may not be. Exaggerated discounts and offers of products at ridiculous prices are a common tactic to attract victims.
- Check the legal notice and privacy policy: it is a simple step and gives you a lot of information about how a page handles your data. A page without clear contact information or without well-defined policies should make you suspicious.
If you have given your details on a website and you are not sure of its legitimacy, you can still take steps to protect yourself. Perform a search on your personal data, contact your bank if you have provided financial information and, if necessary, report the situation to the authorities.
Remember that prevention and knowledge are your best allies on the internet. With a little caution and following these tips, you can browse more safely and protect your personal information.
