Staying Safe Online Gambling – Advice on Protecting Against Fraud
No matter your experience in online gambling, it is always essential to stay safe. Fraudsters are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to access personal and financial data of vulnerable people through fraudulent means.
Staying safe requires being aware of potential threats and taking appropriate actions to safeguard yourself and protect your money. Below we have provided some advice to help avoid fraud and ensure the protection of your finances.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi
By using public Wi-Fi while gambling, your personal data is exposed to strangers – increasing your risk of identity theft and bank fraud.
Though public WiFi networks may appear secure, it’s wise to avoid them whenever possible as hackers can gain access to passwords, banking information and other sensitive details that can compromise them.
Public Wi-Fi networks are often vulnerable to “Man in the Middle” (MitM) attacks, in which hackers intercept data sent between your device and services or websites you attempt to access.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology can protect you from these risks by encrypting data and adding an extra layer of security. Two-factor authentication should also be enabled on all online accounts for maximum protection.
Don’t download anything from an unknown source
One of the key steps you can take to ensure a secure online gambling experience is protecting your personal details. Not only is this beneficial for your own wellbeing, but it can help prevent scams that could cost thousands. One effective method for doing this is not revealing any personal data such as name, address, telephone number and email address; should this become necessary it’s best that an independent company vet any such details first before disclosing them publicly.
Don’t share your personal information
An established casino should have all your sensitive data encrypted before you even access their virtual doors, including credit card and bank account information. Therefore, be mindful whom you share this with. Similarly, keep copies of important documents stored safely away from prying eyes for added peace of mind.
Before making your initial deposit, it is wise to conduct some due diligence on any reputable gambling company’s website. This is particularly pertinent in cases where they claim to offer no-deposit bonuses or free spins on games. Furthermore, each website should include a contact page where customers can quickly email or call customer support for answers and verification that your money is indeed being properly managed – the top companies have customer service agents available 24 hours per day 7 days per week to assist.
Don’t sign up for multiple accounts
One of the best ways to protect yourself against fraud when gambling online is avoiding multiple accounts when creating multiple gambling profiles – be it for casino, poker or any other form. It’s wiser not to create multiple gambling profiles when signing up with any online service such as an iGaming casino.
Some gamblers open multiple accounts intentionally or unwittingly when gambling to claim bonuses; either way, this practice can negatively affect your gaming experience and jeopardise any winnings that could have come your way.
Multiple account fraud can not only detract from overall gameplay but can also cost online casinos money. Casino apps use bonuses as an inducement to attract new users; when multiple accounts take advantage of such promotions across many accounts at the same time, money that will never be replaced by new customers leaves the app with nothing but loss to cover its losses.
Fraudulent gambling activity can also create issues with payment processing providers who view gambling as high-risk industry; this may lead to their revoking the account and charging high fees or chargebacks as well.