Recognising online job and loan scams

Signs of a job scam - Money up front as a "registration fee", "training fee", "deposit" or "visa processing". A real employer does not ask you for money to give you a job. - A promise of big daily earnings for small tasks on the phone from home, such as liking videos or writing reviews. They pay a little at first to win trust, then ask for money for "bigger tasks". - Hired on the spot with no interview, talk only on a messaging app, no office address. - A job abroad offered other than through a registered recruiting agency. - Money asked to "guarantee" a government job; government job notices and applications are only on government websites.

Signs of a loan scam - Adverts for "a loan in five minutes, no papers", then a "processing fee" asked before the loan. - An app that, when installed, wants access to your contacts, photos and messages. Later this is used to shame or threaten you in front of people you know. - Interest and repayment terms not clearly written, or far more deducted than was promised. - To borrow, go to a branch of a bank or registered financial institution, or use its own app.

Rules to protect yourself - Never send money up front for a job or a loan. - No OTP, PIN or password to anyone. - Never send your national ID or photos to a stranger. - Install apps only from the Play Store or App Store, and refuse needless permissions. - If they push you to hurry, stop and talk to someone in your family.

If you were cheated No shame; scammers fool many educated people too. Tell your bank's or mobile banking helpline at once, keep screenshots and the numbers of the transactions, and file a complaint at the nearest police station. If you are threatened, 999.