The internet has brought the world closer, and gambling is no exception. It’s easier to gamble now than it ever has been because there are hundreds of websites that offer online casino games. However, with convenience comes risk.
When you’re gambling online, your money is out of your control because you’re dealing with a website which means you don’t have the same protections as when you go to a physical casino.
Scammers love the online world because they can cover their tracks better and get away with more, which is why it’s important to be aware of the most common scams in order to protect yourself.
We’ll take a look at some of the most common ones and what you can do to minimize your risk:
Phishing Scams
Phishing is when a criminal uses fraudulent methods to obtain important information such as usernames, passwords, or financial account numbers. The intent of the crook, in this case, is to use the players’ own information against them.
For example, they could break into an online casino player’s account and steal their money.
How Do You Avoid Phishing Scams?
There are several steps that you can take to avoid this scam:
- Only play at online casinos, for example trusted online casino singapore, that have a good reputation for being honest. If you see negative reviews, do not play at that casino.
- Pay attention to any emails or other messages that you receive from your casino. If it sounds fake, don’t respond and report the email to your online casino.
- Make sure that you type in your login information correctly and double-check any other sensitive information entered on a website. If the URL of the page is incorrect or misspelt, do not trust it.
Account Hacking
Account hacking refers to when a criminal uses either technical or social engineering skills to gain access to someone’s online account. In most cases, the scammer will use an already compromised account to break into other accounts on the same site.
How Do You Avoid Account Hacking Scams?
There are several steps that you can take to avoid this scam:
- Make sure that you do not use the same password more than once. Using unique passwords for each online account will help prevent a criminal from breaking into multiple accounts with one password.
- If your password seems weak or is easy-to-guess, change it immediately and use a strong password that is difficult to guess. Do not reuse passwords for different accounts!
- If you do happen to use the same login information for more than one online account, it is important that you check your other accounts daily. Check your email, bank statements, and social media accounts on a regular basis. This will help you detect anything suspicious.
Bonus Abuse
Bonus abuse refers to when an online casino uses players’ bonuses or other incentives against them in order to cheat them out of their winnings.
For example, the casino could advertise that it has a 100% match bonus on deposits up to $500 for new players. If a player were to deposit $500 and then play their favourite online casino games, they would be entitled to a whopping $500 in free money. However, there are a few tricks that casinos can use with these offers:
- Some casinos will require the new players to make several deposits before they can collect their winnings from the $500 bonus.
- Some casinos will use a fine print clause that specifies that all winnings from the bonus must be wagered at least thirty times before they can be cashed out. If you see this type of description, it is best to avoid using the bonus. Spending $500 to get $500 in free money doesn’t sound too appealing if you have to play with it for thirty days straight!
How Do You Avoid Bonus Abuse Scams?
There are several steps that you can take to avoid this scam:
- Read all of the fine print before you sign up for a bonus. If there is a requirement to wager x number of times or deposit y number of times in order to receive your winnings, then it is probably in your best interest not to use that bonus.
- You should be wary of any casino offers that seem too good to be true. Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
Rigged Games
Rigged games refer to an online casino that uses a computer program or other type of cheat in order to determine the outcome of a game. If the player were to win at roulette, for example, the casino would have programmed it to win only half of what they bet. It’s like playing Double or Nothing, except that you can never win when the game is rigged!
How Do You Avoid Rigged Games Scams?
There are several steps that you can take to avoid this scam:
- Read reviews about online casinos before you sign up for an account. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) or gaming authority in your area is a great resource to sift through online casino reviews.
- Perform some due diligence on the casino’s policies and guidelines before you play at an online casino. You can find information about their management team, licensing jurisdiction, and payout percentages on most gambling sites that conduct independent audits of both land-based casinos and online casinos.
- If you are playing an unfamiliar game, such as poker or blackjack, you can test your luck with free play mode. Some online casinos, such as trusted online casino singapore-based sites, will allow you to play the game for free before risking your money.
Lying about Payment Status
Lying about payment status refers to an online casino that lies about or omits information regarding the process of withdrawing money from your account. This scam involves some sort of delaying tactic, such as:
- The casino withholds funds without any communication with the player.
- A false “processing” hold is placed on the payment method.
How Do You Avoid Lying About Payment Status Scams?
There are several steps that you can take to avoid this scam:
- Make sure the casino has a positive online reputation. Read reviews about the casino on different websites before you sign up.
- If you are playing at an online casino using Neteller for your payment method, make sure that the casino has good reviews before you deposit your money.
- At gambling sites that conduct independent audits of online casinos, you can make sure that the site pays out 98% or more. You can find information about an online casino’s payout percentage by checking with websites that rate and rank casinos in terms of payout percentages.
Takeaway
The most important thing to remember is that the internet offers scammers a new world of opportunities. You can’t rely on your gut feeling or intuition when you’re gambling online because it’s not as safe as going into a physical casino. Scammers love the digital age, and they’ll do everything they can to get their hands on your money, so be sure to stay vigilant and read up on these common scams in order to protect yourself!