3 Internet Scams That Can Land You In Hot Water
The span of the Internet seems endless, and with anything that holds as much power, intelligence, and control as it does, comes a little bit of unavoidable trouble. One of the most difficult things to do is fend off the scams and viruses that plague the network because eradicating every threat is impossible for authorities and protection programs. However, there are times when running an Internet con can have severe consequences—nothing that you do on the Internet goes completely unnoticed. If you have ever considered attempting such a sting, knowing the consequences may dissuade you from proceeding.
Sending Unsolicited Communication
Spam is certainly annoying, and like any pesky bee flying around your head, it can be hard to look past the hindrance and see the danger that awaits you. Sending out spam involves mass emails, popups, and advertisements, which seems harmless. Unfortunately, these obnoxious and seemingly pointless facets of the Internet can actually carry dangerous viruses or contain false information about products of monetary value. People who participate in spam are not simply acting like an annoying sibling who will not go away—they are committing an Internet crime.
Consequences of Spam
While the majority of spammers go unnoticed or unreported—the huge numbers cannot be followed—there are a select few who witnessed the consequences. This sort of scam can easily land you in hot water in the courtroom with lawsuits and hefty fines. On the other end of the scandal, the results of scamming can ruin people's lives through identity theft, monetary theft, and more life-altering situations.
Pirating or Downloading Illegal Content
Almost any sort of media content is available on the Internet, and the most adept computer users can find a free version to download. This sort of content includes:
- Movies
- Images
- Artwork
- Music
- eBooks
Almost anything is just a click away for these Internet criminals. Unfortunately, however, this illegal downloading is one the most popular Internet crimes in existence, and it is likely that the average person has participated at least once.
Consequences of Illegal Downloads
Legally, the punishment for pirating is major. Not only will the person in question be slammed with fines with life-altering sums, but jail time is also a common consequence. While pressing a few buttons and enjoying a great film or song seems pointless, you are actually stealing from everyone who benefits from the sale of that product. Imagine your favorite musical artist being unable to continue because every fan began pirating their music freely—real people feel the effects of illegal downloading.
Non-Delivery or Non-Payment
The ability to make online payments can come with an abundance of issues. Virtually purchasing a product and exposing your payment credentials is a risky move when you are not sure of a proprietor's reputation; you run the risk of theft on multiple accounts whether the culprit behind the scam is after your information or simply your money. This kind of swindling involves either receiving payment without actual delivery of the product or buying a product without providing acceptable monetary payment.
Consequences of Non-Delivery or Payment
Similar to the other Internet crimes, this scam is capable of sticking you with fees that will make your head spin. Depending on the severity, incarceration is another option. This sort of crime is also the most likely to get you into trouble as most online shoppers expect electronic receipts and physical evidence of purchase—these tracks are difficult to cover.
If the ease of the Internet has ever had you thinking about scamming and swindling, think twice before you carry out your plans. Virtual crimes are crimes nonetheless and will be handled as such in a court of law. Stay out of the hot seat and use the Internet for all of its benefits—as long as they are within the law. To learn more about your legal rights, contact Micheau & Young.
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