The Most Common Types of Scam Websites

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF SCAM WEBSITES

The most common types of scam websites can be broken down into several categories. Here are some of the most prevalent ones:

Romance Scams: Scammers use dating or friendship to get your money, manipulating you into giving them money.¹
Investment Scams: Fake opportunities to make money through investing, aiming to get you excited and take away your cash.
Online Shopping Scams: Scammers prey on consumers and businesses buying or selling products and services, with not every transaction being legitimate.
Identity Theft Scams: Scammers use various means to steal your identity or money, including threatening your life or 'hijacking' your computer.
Job and Employment Scams: Scammers deceive you into handing over your money by offering a ‘guaranteed’ way to make fast money or a high-paying job for little effort.
Lottery and Competition Scams: Scammers try to deceive you into giving money upfront or your personal information to receive a prize from a lottery or competition you never entered.
Fake Online Stores: Scammers create fake online stores offering incredible deals, then steal your payment information or trick you into buying fraudulent products.²
Fake Password Login Pages: Scammers create sites that look like login pages for banks, Netflix, etc., and then include links to them in phishing messages.
Malicious Pop-ups: Hackers create pop-ups on legitimate websites that download malware onto your device.
Fake Customer Support Websites: Scammers pretend to be from technical support companies and get you to give them remote access to your computer.

In terms of statistics, according to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), nearly 1.8 million new phishing and fake websites were discovered in the last half of 2024 alone. Additionally, scammers are increasingly using SSL encryption to make their fake websites appear legitimate, with 84% of all phishing sites now having an SSL certificate.

Scam Website Statistics

1. 1.8 Million New Phishing Sites: The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) reported nearly 1.8 million new phishing and fake websites in the last half of 2024 alone.

2. 84% of Phishing Sites Use SSL: Scammers are increasingly using SSL encryption to make their fake websites appear legitimate, with 84% of all phishing sites now having an SSL certificate.

3. 30% Increase in Phishing Attacks: The APWG reported a 30% increase in phishing attacks in 2024, highlighting the growing threat of scam websites.

Scam Website Trends

1. Increased Use of AI: Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more sophisticated and convincing scam websites.

2. Rise of Mobile Scams: With more people using mobile devices to access the internet, scammers are targeting mobile users with fake websites and apps.

3. Growing Use of Social Media: Scammers are using social media platforms to promote their fake websites and lure victims into their traps.

Protecting Yourself from Scam Websites

1. Verify Website Authenticity: Always verify the authenticity of a website before entering personal or financial information.

2. Use Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts, and avoid using the same password across multiple sites.

3. Keep Software Up-to-Date: Keep your operating system, browser, and other software up-to-date with the latest security patches.

4. Be Cautious of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi to access sensitive information, as it may not be secure.

Reporting Scam Websites

1. Report to APWG: Report suspected scam websites to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).

2. Report to FTC: Report suspected scam websites to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

3. Report to Your Bank: If you suspect that you have been a victim of a scam website, report it to your bank or financial institution immediately.

By Justus