Scams and identity theft.

Scams are big business, particularly online. $99 million was lost to scams in Singapore in 2017* and the total number of scam cases increased by 20.6% in 2018.** But scammers aren’t just after money – they’re out to steal your identity too.

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Identifying scams.

A scam is designed to trick you into giving away your money or personal or financial information. The first online scams were impersonal and random but today they’re sophisticated, and anyone can fall victim.

Online purchase scams.

According to Scam Alert, the number one scam type in Singapore in 2019 is an online purchase scam. These scams tempt customers with fantastic deals on items or tickets to events. Sometimes, the seller will reach out again, demanding further payment for duties or delivery charges. The goods never arrive.

You can help protect yourself against this scam by always asking yourself 2 questions:Is it a realistic deal or does it feel “too good to be true”?Is it a reputable seller? Does the website seem legitimate?

Other common scams.

Loan scams

Social scams

Love scams

Impersonation scams

Report identity theft.

If you’ve been the victim of a scam or identity theft, you need to act quickly to secure your accounts and sensitive information.

1. Change your credentials

2. Report the incident

3. Check account activity

Always stay vigilant.

Identity theft can strike twice. Thieves may have access to more information than you originally notice and can use that to target you again. Stay vigilant by regularly updating your passwords and reviewing your account activity.

More about keeping your accounts secure

PayPal Buyer Protection.

When you pay with PayPal, your eligible purchases can be covered. If something you’ve bought doesn’t arrive or match the seller’s description, Buyer Protection can cover the full purchase amount, including shipping costs.*

More about Buyer Protection
*Terms and conditions apply.

PayPal helps you stay safe online.

Account security

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System security

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Identify fakes

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*CNA report, 9 February 2018. S$99 million lost to scams in 2017.
**CNA report, 20 February 2019. Crime reports up in 2018 due to surge in scam cases.