Job scams
Receiving a letter of acceptance to a job is great news. However, if it comes out of the blue, you should get informed about the company. Visit their website and even research the policies of the company and the people in charge of the human resources that have contacted you. Additionally, you might want to check the contract conditions and whether the company is really ready to support you in case you need to get a visa. Note that no company will ask you for money for a contract or visa, and it is important to be well informed about the immigration rules of the country. Use websites like Glassdoor to check for the satisfaction rate with the company. Some companies are not scammers per se but might not follow through with their promises to assist you with visa issues, vacation time, or work conditions.
Housing scams
Housing scams are very common. While searching for a house in a big city can be a very difficult experience, between the prices and the rental conditions, it is important to be aware of fraud. Do not trust a contract in which you cannot have a personal contact with the owner. Some of the most common scams are those of a message from an owner that is located in another country and asks for a deposit in advance. Even if you visit the housing, do not transfer money until you have a contract. If the contract is in a language you don't fully understand, it is important to consult with someone you know in order to understand the conditions. Check with your job, as many companies offer assistance or even a lawyer for rental contract disagreements. If after finishing your contract you are asked to cover expenses that you are not entitled to cover, you should hire a lawyer to solve the issue.
Charities and donations
Charities and donations are sometimes a good way to share in cases we empathize with someone. However, not all donations are real, and you need to be really careful to who you donate your money. If you want to donate in the country you are in, it is better to do it through a reputable organization, carefully informing yourself about their work and the way their charities work. Do not let yourself be fooled by the millions of charity organizations asking you for money on the street. When being generous, make the smart choice.
Free Wi-Fi networks
Free Wi-Fi networks seem like a good opportunity to connect in a new place, where maybe you still don't have an internet contract. Make sure that these networks are from trustworthy sources. The creator of the network can very easily gain access to all your data, including your bank account details or your camera. Internet scams are common all over the world, and if you want to protect your data, you will need to be extra careful.
Phishing e-mails, SMS or calls
Phishing e-mails, SMS or calls seem like an obvious trap that ends in the spam folder. However, they change and, with time, become more sophisticated. Firstly, never trust an unsolicited e-mail asking you for personal information like a password or even a money transfer. Secondly, beware of SMS messages even from seemingly trustworthy sources that tell you about a package that you have received if you don't remember ordering one. Avoid opening links or sharing any important data. Finally, be careful when receiving a call saying you need to urgently provide information for a visa or other issues. Unless contacted by a source that you know, do not share documents.
Ponzi schemes, investments, funds, bank accounts from unknown banks
Inform yourself thoroughly and even ask your surroundings about their experience before investing your money in anything. You need to be well aware of the terms on which you invest in something and how risky it is to lose your money. Do not trust stories about getting rich fast or about returns that sound too good to be true.
Free subscriptions
Free subscriptions often seem like a good opportunity. They may be newsletters or some service. Be careful, however, to cancel the service on time. Some seemingly free subscriptions charge automatically for a service, and some can even sue you if you do not pay for their subscription after the trial period. To be on the safe side, check carefully any terms and conditions on any free trial you get and make sure that you stop your subscription on time to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Religious organizations
Belonging to a religion is a personal choice, and there's nothing wrong with it. However, be careful when you decide to make part of an organization you don't know well. Often you may be asked to pay large sums of money with the pressure of spiritual achievement. Also, be aware that some countries make you pay tax for the religious organization that you belong to. If loneliness from being abroad makes you seek someone to talk to, consult first with a friend or a therapist.
Among the beauties and the fun that a new place can bring also come the risks of not knowing the territory or the language. While you will surely learn it with time, you should be cautious not to get fooled by the scammers of the world. A careful eye will make your road less bumpy and stress-free.
