Gaming Fraud: 6 Giveaway Signs and How to Avoid It
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If you are a gamer, it is not just in-game achievements you should worry about; The threats to your safety and security must be a top priority if you intend to enjoy your favorite gaming platforms and apps with peace of mind.
How can you identify fraudulent threats, and what measures should you take to avoid them? In this article, you will find all the answers. But first, let’s take a look at the prevalent scams you should be aware of.
The Common Threats of Gaming Fraud
Certain scams are more widespread than others and can expose you to innumerable dangers.
Phishing Attacks
The act of deceiving users into revealing personal or confidential data is termed phishing in cybersecurity lingo. It is the most common tactic deployed for data theft.
You can face gaming-related phishing on gaming platforms, forums, streaming sites, or social media. Even emails, SMSs, messaging apps, phone calls, and similar communication channels can become a medium for phishing.
For example, scammers impersonating a gaming platform could use phishing emails or SMSs to steal your account login details. They could ask you to sign in to your gaming account using a link to keep it active or to verify your information. The link, however, will take you to a fake web page designed to steal your username and password the moment you enter them.
Using such phishing techniques, scammers could steal your gaming profile credentials, credit card information, and other details that could expose you to identity and financial scams when compromised.
Account Hijacking
Criminals can access accounts on gaming platforms with the help of phishing. But that is not the only way to hijack your account.
Bad actors could, for instance, launch a hacking attack, install keylogging malware, or use a stolen credential database they have purchased on the dark web to gain entry without your permission.
What could happen once they take over? They can sell your in-app items, use your credit card for gaming purchases, or even sell your account to the highest bidder.
Fraudulent Products and Promotions
Cyber scammers frequently use deceptive deals and promotions to target victims for financial fraud and data theft.
For instance, they can mislead you by selling fake gaming products and in-app items.
Multiple Accounts Fraud
This involves bad actors creating several accounts to rig games in their favor so they can deceitfully win in-game rewards and progress faster.
For genuine players, this could be highly demoralizing.
Giveaway Signs of Online Game-Related Scams
These are the red flags that could help you identify the prevalent gaming frauds:
1. Locked accounts
When cybercriminals hijack your gaming profile, they will often change the password and lock you out. This gives them complete control of the account to alter information and sell it to a third party.
2. Over inquisitive strangers
When players and other users on gaming platforms seem unusually interested in your personal details, they are likely phishing for information to target you for a scam.
3. Unsolicited links and files
Fraudsters can use malicious links and virus-infected downloads to install malware.
4. Messages with typos and language errors
If you notice unusual language and spelling mistakes in messages that appear to originate from a well-known platform, there is a high chance you have encountered an impersonation scam.
5. Too-good-to-be-real offers
Product promotions offering overly attractive discounts and deals are usually deceptive schemes attempting to lure victims.
6. Unusual winning streaks
If certain players seem to have an extraordinary amount of luck in their favor, you might be dealing with fraudsters manipulating the game using multiple accounts.
Beating Gaming Fraud: Tips for Avoiding Prevalent Threats
Here are the essential safety measures for protecting yourself from scammers and other deceptive actors targeting gamers.
Protect Your Gaming Accounts
Use unique passwords with eight or more random characters to keep your accounts safe. Ensure usernames and passwords are not already used elsewhere, and never write them down or share them with others.
If multi-factor authentication is available, set it up, too, to guard against password vulnerabilities.
Be Mindful of Phishing
A staggering 36% of data breaches are the result of phishing. So, taking proactive measures to avoid them makes every sense.
For instance, when you receive an unsolicited email, reverse search the email address on Nuwber to check its owner.
Moreover, only click links in emails and messages once you confirm their authenticity. These could potentially take you to malicious sites designed to phish for information.
Avoid Malware Threats
Scammers often use file attachments and malicious websites to download spyware, ransomware, keyloggers, and other malware to devices. Avoiding suspicious gaming sites and apps and installing reputed anti-malware software is essential for preventing such threats.
Share Cautiously
Reckless data-sharing practices, especially on social media, can make you extra vulnerable to data breaches.
Therefore, think twice before posting personal information on public domains and remove unnecessary details you have already published.
Minimizing your exposure to third-party breaches is also important. For this, avoid disclosing identifiable data to external organizations, including gaming apps, streaming sites, and social media.
Choose Reliable Gaming Platforms and Software
Certain third-party apps and platforms can steal your data, install malware, and cause various other threats.
The best solution for avoiding them is opting for reputed and verified platforms that deploy strong security policies, verifications, and monitoring tactics to identify fraudulent activities and protect genuine users.
Ignore Unrealistic Offers and Promotions
Although these may seem tempting, they are likely deceptive schemes designed to target you for financial fraud. So, managing your expectations and avoiding overly lucrative deals is always prudent.
Wrapping Up
The gaming industry is fraught with scammers and other bad actors devising phishing attacks, account takeovers, fake promotions, multiple account fraud, and similar deceptive tactics to target players.
For a safe and enjoyable gaming experience, follow our tips to identify the common red flags of fraud and take necessary measures to strengthen your security.