Hunter Storm | How to Spot a Scam Online

Things Schools Should Actually Teach | How to Spot a Scam Online | Emails, Pop-ups, and Phishing Tricks

The internet is full of scams, and they’re getting more sophisticated. Whether it’s a fake email from your bank, a “you’ve won a prize” pop-up, or a social media message asking for money, scammers prey on people who don’t know how to spot the red flags. This guide will teach you how to spot a scam online. You’ll learn how to recognize them, avoid phishing attempts, and protect yourself from falling victim to online fraud.

The Most Common Online Scams

Scammers are always coming up with new tricks, but most online scams fall into these categories:

Phishing Emails & Messages

Phishing is when scammers send fake emails, texts, or social media messages pretending to be a trusted company. They try to get you to click a link and enter your personal information.

Red Flags:

Urgent language like “Your account will be locked in 24 hours!”
Poor grammar or misspellings
A link that looks suspicious (hover over it before clicking)
The sender’s email doesn’t match the official company’s domain

How to Protect Yourself:

Never click links in emails unless you’re sure they’re real
Go directly to the company’s website instead of using email links
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on important accounts

Fake Pop-Ups & Tech Support Scams

Have you ever seen a pop-up that says, “Your computer is infected! Call this number now!”? That’s a scam. Legitimate companies don’t use scare tactics like this.

Red Flags:

Claims that your device is hacked or infected
A phone number asking you to “call now”
Pop-ups that won’t close unless you restart your computer

How to Protect Yourself:

Close the tab or restart your computer
Never call the number or download anything from a pop-up
Use a reputable antivirus program

Fake Websites & Online Shopping Scams

Scammers create fake versions of real websites to steal your credit card info. Red Flags:

The website URL looks slightly different (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”)
No HTTPS (secure padlock symbol in the address bar)
Prices that are too good to be true

How to Protect Yourself:

Always check the URL before entering payment info
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
Use PayPal or a credit card (never a debit card) for purchases

Social Media & Messenger Scams

Scammers send messages pretending to be friends or businesses, asking for money or personal info.

Red Flags:

A friend suddenly asks for money via DMs
Messages from brands claiming you won a giveaway
Links that ask for your login info

How to Protect Yourself:

Verify by calling or texting the person directly
Never enter your password after clicking a random link
Report scam accounts to the platform

Learn more about how to protect yourself in our article, How to Spot and Stop Fake Friend Impersonators on Social Media.

How to Identify a Scam Website or Email

Before clicking anything or entering personal details, check for these red flags:

Look at the URL:

A legitimate website will have HTTPS and a properly spelled domain.
Scammers create lookalike sites with slight misspellings.

Check the Email Sender:

If the email is from Netflix, but the sender is netflix-support123@gmail.com, it’s fake.
Legitimate companies don’t use free email services like Gmail or Yahoo.

Verify the Contact Info:

Does the website have a real address and phone number?
Fake sites often hide contact details.

Trust Your Instincts:

If it feels rushed, overly urgent, or too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

What to Do If You Encounter a Scam

If you spot a scam, don’t panic. Follow these steps: Don’t click any links or respond. Scammers rely on urgency to trick you. Report it:

Email scams: Forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
Fake social media accounts: Use the platform’s report button
Fake shopping sites: Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Change your passwords if you accidentally clicked a scam link.
Educate others! Share this guide with friends and family to protect them.

Stay Smart, Stay Safe

Scammers rely on deception, but once you know the signs, they become easy to spot. The key is to stay skeptical, verify information, and never rush when handling online requests. Now that you know how to spot a scam online, stay safe by following these rules:

If something seems too good to be true, it is.
Always verify links, emails, and contacts before taking action.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, walk away.

Glossary

HTTPS: A secure version of a website that encrypts data (look for the padlock icon in the browser).
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A security measure that requires two steps to log in, like a password plus a text code.
Phishing: A scam where someone pretends to be a trusted company to steal your personal information.
Scam Website: A fake website designed to trick users into entering personal data or payment details.
Spam: Unwanted or unsolicited messages, often promotional or fraudulent.

Unlock the Secrets of the Digital World with Our Engaging Articles

Dive into our lively collection of articles and blog posts designed to boost your digital savvy and cybersecurity know-how. From demystifying the differences between websites and platforms to mastering online privacy, our series offers practical insights to help you navigate the internet like a pro.

About the Author | Hunter Storm | Technology Executive | Global Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker

CISO | Advisory Board Member | SOC Black Ops Team | Systems Architect | Strategic Policy Advisor | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator | Cyber-Physical-Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert | Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage

Background

Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Security Operations Center (SOC) Black Ops Team Member; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator, and Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies.

Drawing on decades of experience in global Fortune 100 enterprises, including Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and American Express; aerospace and high-tech manufacturing leaders such as Alcoa and Special Devices (SDI) / Daicel Safety Systems (DSS); and leading technology services firms such as CompuCom, she guides organizations through complex technical, strategic, and operational challenges.

Hunter Storm combines technical mastery with real-world operational resilience in high-stakes environments.

Global Expert and Subject Matter Expert (SME) | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Strategic Intelligence

A recognized subject matter expert (SME) with top-tier expert networks including GLG (Top 1%), AlphaSights, and Third Bridge, Hunter Storm advises Board Members, CEOs, CTOs, CISOs, Founders, and Senior Executives across technology, finance, and consulting sectors. Her insights have shaped policy, strategy, and high-risk decision-making at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and human-technical threat surfaces.

Projects | Research and Development (R&D) | Frameworks

Hunter Storm is the creator of The Storm Project: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence, the largest AI research initiative in history.

She is the originator of the Hacking Humans: Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering, a foundational framework in psychological operations (PsyOps) and biohacking, adopted by governments, enterprises, and global security communities.

Hunter Storm also pioneered the first global forensic mapping of digital repression architecture, suppression, and censorship through her project Discrimination by Design: First Global Forensic Mapping of Digital Repression Architecture, monitoring platform accountability and digital suppression worldwide.

Achievements and Awards

Hunter Storm is a Mensa member and recipient of the Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her enduring influence on AI, cybersecurity, quantum, technology, strategy, and global security.

Hunter Storm | The Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage

Hunter Storm is known for solving problems most won’t touch. She combines technical mastery, operational agility, and strategic foresight to protect critical assets and shape the future at the intersection of technology, strategy, and high-risk decision-making.

Hunter Storm reframes human-technical threat surfaces to expose vulnerabilities others miss, delivering the ultimate asymmetric advantage.

Discover Hunter Storm’s full About the Author biography and career highlights.

Securing the Future | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum computing, innovation, risk management, hybrid threats, security. Hunter Storm (“The Fourth Option”) is here. Let’s get to work.

Confidential Contact

Consultations, engagements, board memberships, leadership roles, policy advisory, legal strategy, expert witness, or unconventional problems that require highly unconventional solutions.