18h • General discussion
Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed This 2026
This Year of the Horse, scammers move fast—so your awareness needs to move faster! 🐴
Here are some tips to help you avoid getting fooled this year:
1️⃣ No legitimate client will ask you to pay for training.
2️⃣ Never give out your ID, bank details, or personal information right away.
3️⃣ Check the company name on Google and LinkedIn.
4️⃣ If the offer sounds too good to be true = red flag.
5️⃣ TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
Protect your time, your effort, and your hard-earned money.
Be wiser this 2026.
➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️➖️
✅ Detailed guide to avoid becoming a victim:
🚩 1. Don’t engage with obviously fake profiles
If the “client” profile has:
• No profile photo or only a stock photo
• Newly created (2025–2026)
• No LinkedIn connections
• No company details
• No posts or engagement
That’s a red flag!
Example of a scammer line:
“Hello dear, I hire you now. Send me your details.”
Legitimate clients communicate clearly and professionally.
🚩 2. Too-good-to-be-true rates
If they offer:
• $50/hour for simple data entry
• $150 fixed rate for 1 hour of work
• $500 sign-in bonus
These are NOT normal beginner freelance rates.
Their tactic is to attract you—then later ask for:
• “Verification fee”
• “Training fee”
• “Equipment fee”
• “Account activation fee”
Legitimate clients NEVER ask for money.
🚩 3. Be cautious if they push Telegram immediately
Telegram is a favorite platform for scammers because:
• No real identity verification
• Unlimited fake accounts
• Chats can be deleted easily
• Hard to report
Legitimate clients usually use:
✔ Email
✔ Zoom
✔ Google Meet
✔ Slack
✔ Teams
If they say, “Let’s move to Telegram immediately,” proceed with caution—especially if they hire you too fast.
🚩 4. Never share personal information
Do NOT share any of the following:
• Government IDs
• Bank details
• GCash
• PayPal login
• Phone number
• Address
• OTP codes
Scammers use these for:
⚠ Identity theft
⚠ Account hacking
⚠ Fake loan applications
Legitimate clients only request information after proper onboarding and a signed contract.
🚩 5. No legitimate job has a “membership fee”
Common scam messages include:
• “Pay ₱999 for membership to unlock job access.”
• “Enroll in our paid training first.”
• “Pay for tools and we’ll reimburse you later.”
NO.
Legitimate companies provide their own:
✓ tools
✓ systems
✓ access
✓ software
You should never be the one paying.
🚩 6. “Rush hiring” tactics
Scammers pressure you so you won’t think:
“We need you NOW—send your details quickly.”
“Only 10 slots left! Pay the training fee ASAP!”
Legitimate clients follow proper steps:
• Screening
• Interview
• Test task (sometimes)
• Contract signing (sometimes)
They don’t rush like a mall promo.
🚩 7. Check payment methods
If they want to pay via:
❌ Gift cards
❌ Crypto wallets
❌ Payeer
❌ Payment screenshots only
That’s 100% a SCAM.
Legitimate payment methods include:
✔ PayPal
✔ Wise
✔ Payoneer
✔ Bank transfer
🚩 8. Always verify the company
Before agreeing:
✓ Search the company on Google
✓ Check reviews
✓ Check the website domain
✓ Look for employees on LinkedIn
✓ Confirm if there’s a real address
If you can’t find anything—run.
Final reminder:
Scammers prey on people who are excited.
So always remember:
✔ Ask questions
✔ Do your research
✔ Trust your gut
✔ Don’t rush
✔ Never pay anything
Your safety is more important than any “dream job offer.”
CCTO.
0
0 comments
Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed This 2026
