“Hi There. Be Careful!”
As a counselor, I really want the best for you. It's like saying, "Hi there! Be careful, I care about you, enjoy life, and stay safe." That's the reason I wrote this article. I want you, the reader, to feel cared for, be safe, and enjoy life while you chase your dreams. But watch out, there are some bad guys out there who might try to mess things up, take what's yours, and harm your loved ones. Let me show you how to deal with them. Ready?
OK, imagine this: You've gathered around with your extended family, sharing stories and laughter, when suddenly a surprising truth emerges. Each one of you, from different walks of life, has faced the unnerving reality of being targeted by scammers.
It's a moment that makes you pause and think – are we not as safe as we believe?
My family's experiences were as diverse as they were alarming on this topic. Some received calls from fraudsters pretending to be bank officials, speaking of non-existent account problems. My in-laws, too, were not spared. They were shaken by a hoax call about our eldest daughter desperately needing money in Mexico and another about a child wrongfully imprisoned. Both, thankfully, were just cruel tricks.
But let me share a more personal encounter that struck a chord with me. Since my book's publication in 2021, my inbox has been inundated with over 20 dubious propositions from 'book publishers.' These offers varied wildly, from showcasing my work in the bustling heart of Times Square to glamorous Hollywood representation deals, and even a lucrative contract demanding a significant investment from my end.
One instance, in particular, stands out - a seemingly impeccable impersonation from a renowned publisher. It had all the makings of a dream come true for any author – recognition, a verifiable contact, and the promise of success. Driven by caution and advice from IT-savvy family members, I dove into thorough verification. I consulted my professional coach, renowned for their acumen in spotting scams, checked LinkedIn profiles, and even used websites like www.beenverified.com and www.ownerly.com for deeper insights. Everything, at first (and second) glance, screamed legitimacy.
Yet, the world of scams is deceitfully intricate. Just when I allowed myself a glimmer of hope, the facade crumbled. The person I had been in contact with on LinkedIn confirmed my worst fear – it was a scam, a common one at that. Then came the realization from my coach about a subtle anomaly in the email address used by the scammer, a deviation from the norm for that company. Argh.
Tools
I see daily how scams are more than just a financial menace; they play with our emotions, toy with our psychology, and prey on our hopes and fears. This experience, like many others, underlines the crucial need for vigilance and skepticism. In sharing my story and the lessons learned, I aim to arm you with the tools and knowledge to safeguard not just your finances but your peace of mind. In our digital age, where dangers lurk in emails, phone calls, and even at our front doors, staying informed and cautious is not just advisable, it's essential.
Let's embark on this journey of awareness together, nurturing a community where trust is built on the solid foundation of knowledge and where every story of deception unraveled becomes a lesson for us all.
Who: The Masterminds Behind the Scams
Scammers come in all shapes and sizes. They could be individuals in a distant country or part of an organized crime network. Surprisingly, some are victims turned perpetrators, especially in schemes like romance or financial fraud.
What: The Deceptive Practices
Scammers use a plethora of tactics:
Common Scams: These include lottery wins from contests you never entered, investment opportunities with impossible returns, requests for personal information under false pretenses, high-pressure tactics, unconventional payment methods like gift cards, poor grammar in communications, inconsistent stories, evasive answers, suspicious links, and emotional manipulation.
Advanced Scams: Watch for unnatural elements in video calls, background distortions, flawed impersonations, unusual communication changes, requests for secrecy, online presence discrepancies, avoidance of live interactions, and sophisticated psychological tactics.
When: The Opportune Times
Scams can strike anytime, often exploiting current events or personal situations.
Where: The Global Arena
Scams are a worldwide phenomenon, originating from various regions known for certain types of scams, like West Africa, India, Eastern Europe, and China. But remember, with today's technology, a scammer can appear anywhere.
Why: The Motivations
The reasons behind scams are as varied as their methods. Financial gain, coercion, or being part of a larger criminal agenda are familiar drivers.
How: The Methods
Scammers employ technology like AI for deep fakes or to automate communications. They target communities, use overpayment tactics, create fake charities, infiltrate legitimate platforms, and exploit the gig economy.
Protecting Our Elderly
Our seniors are often prime targets. Educate them about common scams, monitor their financial activities, encourage skepticism in unsolicited contacts, and foster open communication so they feel comfortable sharing suspicious interactions.
The Top 5 Most Well-Known Scams
Nigerian Prince Scam (Advance-Fee Fraud):
What Happens: You get an email from someone claiming to be royalty or a government official from Nigeria, asking for help moving large sums of money.
The Catch: They ask you to pay some fees upfront to help transfer the money, promising a big reward later, which never comes.
Lottery Scams:
What Happens: You're told you've won a big lottery or sweepstakes prize, often one you never entered.
The Catch: To claim the prize, you must pay fees for taxes or processing first, but there's no real prize.
Romance Scams:
What Happens: Someone pretends to fall in love with you online, often saying they're overseas.
The Catch: They make up an emergency and ask for money, usually via wire transfers or gift cards.
Tech Support Scams:
What Happens: You're warned (via call or computer pop-up) of a virus or issue with your computer, claiming to be from a well-known tech company.
The Catch: They offer to fix it for a fee and may ask for remote access to your computer, which can lead to data theft or malware.
IRS or Tax Scams:
What Happens: Someone calls, claiming to be from the IRS or a tax agency, saying you owe back taxes and must pay immediately.
The Catch: They ask for payment through wire transfers or gift cards, but the IRS never demands immediate payment or personal details over the phone.
The Top 5 Most Insidious Scams
Deep Fake Impersonations:
Celebrity Video Impersonation: Scammers use technology to make fake videos of famous people saying things they never did.
Executive Fraud: Fake videos or audio of company leaders are used to fool employees into sending money or confidential info.
Overpayment Frauds:
Classified Ad Overpayment: A scammer overpays for an item from your online ad and asks for the extra money back.
Rental Deposit Overpayment: A fake tenant overpays a rental deposit and then asks for the surplus to be refunded.
Gig Economy Job Scams:
Fake Freelance Job Posting: False job ads on freelance sites that ask for your personal info or money.
Pay-to-Work Scheme: Jobs that require you to pay for training or supplies before you can start.
Disaster-Related Charity Scams:
Phony Relief Fund: Fake fundraisers for disaster victims where the money goes to the scammer, not the victims.
Impersonation of Real Charity: Scammers pretend to be legitimate charities to get donations.
Real Estate Rental Scams:
Phantom Rental: Listings for properties that don't exist or aren't owned by the scammer, usually at low prices.
Hijacked Ads: Scammers copy real rental ads, change the contact info, and repost them to trick renters.
Phishing: The What, How, Why, When
What: Phishing is a tactic where scammers trick you into providing personal information via deceptive emails or messages.
How: They often mimic legitimate organizations and create a sense of urgency or fear.
Why: The goal is to steal your identity, and financial information, or install malware.
When: It can happen anytime, often disguised as urgent messages from banks or other trusted entities.
Immediate Steps if You're in the Middle of Being Scammed
Cease all communication (Hang up the phone, turn your computer off, close your door).
Protect your personal information (Change your passwords frequently, make them complicated and unrelated to your personal information such as birthdate, address, etc.)
Document all interactions.
Report the scam to authorities, your bank, and relevant platforms.
Seek legal or financial advice.
Warn others in your community.
Change your passwords and secure your accounts (Immediately).
Stay vigilant and educate yourself.
If You’ve Already Been Scammed
Online Communities: On Reddit and Quora, there are forums for scam victims to share stories and get advice.
Scam Reporting: The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker lets you report and see local scam trends.
Chatbots for Help: AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline offers a chatbot for immediate scam advice.
Scam Blocking Apps: Truecaller identifies and blocks scam calls and texts.
Awareness on Social Media: Agencies share scam stories and prevention tips on social media.
Legal Advice Online: LegalZoom and Avvo provide affordable legal help for scam victims.
Financial Counseling: Non-profits offer financial advice for those who've lost money to scams.
Emotional Support: Some services offer counseling specifically for scam victims - Let’s Talk!
Government Aid: Certain government programs help victims recover from large-scale scams.
Resources for Help and Reporting
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) https://www.ftc.gov/
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov/
Your local police department (non-emergency number 818 677-2111)
In Conclusion
Staying informed, skeptical, and vigilant is your best defense against scammers. Remember, it's not just about avoiding financial loss but also about protecting your emotional well-being from these manipulative tactics. Let’s talk, maybe I can help. . 😇🙏🤓
All My Best,
Cindy
