Don’t Get Played: Your Ultimate Guide to Online Scams

With online scammers targeting punters more than ever in today’s fast-paced digital world, scams and hacking are evolving in complexity and frequency at a fast rate. Preying on unsuspecting victims more successfully than ever, scam artists are coming up with more and more cunning, deceptive ways to rip money quickly and tracelessly. However, your chums here at Global Poker Academy have got your back. We want you to check yo’self before you wreck yo’self, and all that. Here’s how.

But First… The Stats

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a 2023 report revealed a staggering 800,944 complaints with losses exceeding $10.3 billion, marking a 49% increase in financial losses compared to the previous year.

While the number of reported complaints shows only a slight increase, the significant rise in financial losses underscores the growing sophistication of these scams. Online social games are no exception, as scammers are constantly devising new tactics to exploit players, and no online sector is immune from the scourge of online scams. 

Although there's no foolproof method to avoid them entirely, recognizing the warning signs can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim.
Scams are increasing in complexity, and there may come a time when it's impossible to identify them. In the meantime though, here are some red flags that could mean a scammer is out to take your hard-earned cash. 
And now, the part where we wave those red flags that you must watch out for:

Spelling Mistakes

Official communications from an online social casino will not have spelling errors in it. Be extremely cautious when you receive an email with your name misspelt or errors in other vital details. A legitimate company will always aim to be as professional as possible and ensure all communications are presented as such. 
One grammar or spelling mistake is probably not a massive cause for concern. But if an email looks like it was written by a five year old, then chalk that up as a scam. DO NOT click, reply or interact in any way. 

The same goes for the sender’s email address. Always check for spelling mistakes — it might only be one wrong letter or number, but it can be the difference between getting scammed or not. 

A poor website design is also a red flag. If a website looks like it was designed in the 1990s, then avoid it like the plague. Online social casinos are all about appearing new and slick; no real venue would allow their first impression to new customers to be an unprofessional dumpster fire website that’s over 20 years old. 

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, it Probably Is

An oldie, but a goodie, as Grandma says. And another, because clearly scamming of some description has been around for eons, is: “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” Some scammers will send messages claiming to be from a company, offering lucrative bonuses or free cash. Some companies do offer extras such as free spins, but there are limits to that generosity. Be cautious if a message claims you can get a ludicrous amount as a bonus if you click on a link or send them some money first.

Another common tactic is to say you have won something, and to claim your prize; you must send them some cash first. No real business will ask you for money to claim a prize. Once a scammer gets a hold of your cash, it's often tough - or impossible — to get back. So be cautious about sending money if you aren't sure of the recipient.

You're Told to Keep it a Secret

If you receive a communication about winning a big prize from an online social casino, but they tell you that you need to keep it a secret, consider it very suspicious. By urging you to keep it a secret, scammers are trying to stop the offer from getting scrutinized by family and friends who might see through the scam. 

A Fake Emergency

Another common tactic is to claim there is an emergency, and if you don't respond immediately or click a link, your winnings will be lost. If you have won a prize, you should have plenty of time to claim your winnings. If somebody prompts immediate action at risk of losing everything, be cautious.
No Contact Information

Every business should have a way to get in touch to report an issue or get help. If you don't keep your customers happy, then they are unlikely to stick around for long. Scam web pages won't have any other way of contacting the company, such as a phone number or a support email address. If you can't contact somebody to verify a message or communication, then don't respond or click on it. 

Unofficial Emails

Most legitimate organizations will have official email addresses for their employees using the company name. If you receive a message from somebody claiming to work for a company but it’s from a Gmail or Hotmail account, count that as suspicious, delete it and move along. 

Strange URLs

The URL in the search bar can be a life saver when it comes to identifying a scam. Scammers will often disguise their website URL to look like the official one, but one or two letters will be repeated. As an example, if an official website is: www.games.com, a scammer might change it to www.gaames.com. Always check the URL. 

Forcing You to Use Odd Payment Methods 

Most modern online payment options protect against scammers. It could be a scam if someone is pushing you to pay through an untraceable or non-reversible option, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto. It's pretty safe to say that an online social casino will not ask you to fund your account by buying a heap of gift cards.

Crypto is becoming a more accepted payment method, but legitimate venues will offer multiple options. 

Asking for Sensitive Information

An official business or organization will never ask for your password or private info in an email or text. Often scammers will claim there is an emergency and they need your bank details, passwords or other sensitive information to secure your account. They might also ask you to click a link or download a file. Scammers will often disguise malware in this fashion. 

Threatening Legal Action 

If you question any of the above and are threatened with legal action, that's also a red flag. No legit social casino will threaten legal action if you ask for more clarification around an issue or ask somebody to verify their identity.

Remember: Question Everything

Unfortunately, we live in an era where it's safer to question everything. The tactics listed above are the most common examples of tricks scammers use, but they are constantly changing their approach. So remember folks, always be careful and discerning when engaging in online activities.