{"id":6628,"date":"2022-02-18T16:59:47","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T08:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/?p=6628"},"modified":"2024-11-14T21:10:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T13:10:38","slug":"scams-types-impact-how-to-avoid-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/scams-types-impact-how-to-avoid-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Scams: Types, Impact &#038; How to Avoid Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='avia_image' src='https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/lindsey-lamont-UwnH5jSrdr4-unsplash-1030x736.jpg' alt='Scams' title='Scams' height=\"736\" width=\"1030\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  style='height:20px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_image  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Being a victim of scams can be very distressing, given the financial, social, and emotional impact it has on us. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.police.gov.sg\/-\/media\/64A8EB6D3C8F45A2A762690BFA5B1400.ashx\">statistics<\/a> showing a marked increase of scam cases in 2021 and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/157-suspects-investigated-scams-victims-lost-2-million-2491861&#038;sa=D&#038;source=docs&#038;ust=1645171347913939&#038;usg=AOvVaw2iSHvg10Tn9e6bX0fOoP7p\">recent arrest of over 157 suspects linked to nearly 500 cases of scam<\/a>, it is clear that scam is on the rise in Singapore. Recently, our team has contributed to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/courts-crime\/why-victims-trust-scammers-over-their-loved-ones\">media article<\/a> on the psychological impact of scams. As such, this article serves to highlight the threat of scams and support you if you have been a victim.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some helpful things for you to know:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understanding scams \u2014 Common types of scams<\/li>\n<li>What are some common psychological impacts of scams? (You\u2019re not alone!)<\/li>\n<li>What should I do from here?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Common Types of Scams in Singapore<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8ac' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >SMS Phishing Scams<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Scammers impersonate a bank (such as DBS, POSB, or OCBC), and direct recipients to rectify issues such as errors or accounts being suspended through a link, usually requiring them to key in their bank details. In doing so, scammers gain access to victims\u2019 bank account details withdraws from their accounts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue859' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >e-commerce Scams<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Scammers employ a variety of methods to cheat victims on e-commerce sites.\u00a0 Some of the scams involved are such as:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Selling popular goods at a low price, such as Nintendo Switches, before disappearing with the payment<\/li>\n<li>Listing \u201cjobs\u201d that require a victim to make advance payment to a non-existent e-business to boost sales; victims instead transfer money into the scammer\u2019s bank account<\/li>\n<li>Sending out messages to users awaiting delivery, informing them that their packages have been lost and asking for recovery payment<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8cf' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Loan Scams<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Scammers send out messages via SMS or WhatsApp while impersonating licensed moneylenders. Loan scammers often require victims to place multiple deposits into a bank account as \u201cset up\u201d processes for trial loans. However, borrowers never receive the loan amount promised as the scammers disappear with the deposit.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='height:30px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_one_half  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >The Psychological Impact of Being Scammed<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_one_half  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-13  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='avia_image' src='https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/ahmad-gunnaivi-OupUvbC_TEY-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg' alt='Upset Scams' title='Upset Scams' height=\"200\" width=\"300\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_iconlist  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>It is common for victims of scams to feel\u00a0shame and helplessness. Being scam also might lead to lower self-esteem and isolating behaviour. The degree to which you find your mental wellbeing affected usually depends on the degree of loss experienced.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_full '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue80c' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Self-Esteem<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_iconlist  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The loss of self-esteem that comes with internalised shame may cause victims to isolate themselves and choose not to disclose their struggles. As inherently social creatures, the presence of social support is very important in helping humans recover from major losses in life; the acceptance and presence of friends and family protect individuals from spiralling further. When one is feeling down, impulses towards unhealthy coping are strong. Isolation then breeds further behaviour and thought spirals that culminate in more serious mental health concerns such as depression.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_one_full '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue868' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Lack of Sense of Control<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_iconlist  el_before_av_heading  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The let-down of financial or emotional lifelines may cause victims to feel out of control of their life circumstances. Having their money and pride taken away from them against their will, victims may begin to believe that they have no control over their life and future. Feelings of not being in control are tied to struggles with anxiety or depression. In severe cases, helplessness and hopelessness lead to suicidal ideation in victims who are in very trying life seasons or who might already have faced multiple losses prior to the scam incident.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  style='height:30px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-22  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_iconlist  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >What can I do if I am a Victim? <\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-24  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue83c' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Talk to Loved Ones<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>It is important that you talk about what happened to you with trusted family members and friends. While this can be a vulnerable step, having someone know about what happened and walk with you through the difficult emotions, thoughts, and consequences would be very helpful in the long run.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-26  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue806' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Forgive Yourself<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Allow yourself space for self compassion and regulate your self-talk. Everyone makes mistakes, and while you might feel responsible for the plight you\u2019re in, remember that your emotions, however negative, are valid. Acknowledge your emotions and the reasons why you are feeling this way; give yourself the permission to engage in hobbies or distractors to take space away from this matter if you need it. While processing the pain and grief, learn to encourage yourself as well. While your emotions are valid, they might not be helpful in helping you move forward. Recognise that no amount of self-beating can change the past and all you can do is to take the next best step forward.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-28  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue84c' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Plan Things Out<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Work on a plan to recover financially, emotionally, and\/or relationally. Remember that it will be a long journey, but everyone has to start somewhere. Find out what your next step towards recovery is and take it, be it doing research on the process of recovering the money, making reports, or attending counselling sessions to work on personal trauma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>If you are a family member or friend of a scam victim, be mindful not to engage in victim blaming. While there are always \u201cshould have\u201ds and \u201ccould have\u201ds, remember that scam victims are, after all, still victims. A large part of fault still lies with the scammers themselves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='height:10px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-31  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-32  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_one_half  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >How Do I Avoid Being Scammed?<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-33  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_one_half  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-34  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='avia_image' src='https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/cut-in-a-moment-8pi_ULWXXII-unsplash-225x300.jpg' alt='Stressed Scam' title='Stressed Scam' height=\"300\" width=\"225\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-35  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_full  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-36  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8ab' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Healthy Online Practices<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>More and more scammers are taking their operations online, making use of online tools like social media and messaging apps to pull off their schemes. Hence, it is important for one to practice caution while accessing online services. Simple habits like double checking website addresses or being more cautious about handing out personal details will go a long way in protecting ourselves from scammers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-38  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_full  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-39  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8e2' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Don\u2019t Be Greedy<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In e-commerce scams, scammers will try to entice you with a deal that promises very disproportionate financial rewards. While discounts and promotions are common in commerce, learn to sieve out bogus deals by not being blinded by the prospect of earning easy money or getting a product at a rock-bottom price.\u00a0 Always remember &#8211; if a deal appears too good to be true, it probably is not.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_one_full  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-41  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_hr  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-42  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  style='background-color:#00558a; ' class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue86c' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry av-iconlist-empty\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Use Official Resources<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Scammers will reach out to you first &#8211; approach instead of respond. Official and credible organisations will rarely contact you directly via your phone number or email, and at the very most will rely only on advertisements targeted at the general public. For example, if you are in a tough position financially, try to approach a licensed moneylender instead of responding to a suspicious online advertisement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><div  style='height:20px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-44  el_after_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being a victim of scams can be very distressing, given the financial, social, and emotional impact it has on us. Click to read more about scams, their impact and how to avoid them!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,55,27,58,57,59,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anxiety","category-depression","category-interesting-article","category-others","category-ptsd","category-relationships","category-stress"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Scams: Types, Impact &amp; Avoiding Them - Singapore Counselling Centre<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being a scam victim can be distressing, given its financial, social, and emotional impact. 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