Technology
How to Spot New Scams Before They Affect You
Scammers are getting smarter and smarter. Every single day, new scams and new methods of cheating people out of money, information, and even a sense of security are emerging. What could work for the scammers a couple of years ago will no longer work, and for that reason, they’re updating their scams regularly. That’s why it’s ever more important to outsmart them and become a pro at recognizing a scam even before you can fall prey to it.
From fake messages to deepfake clips, scams have become more nuanced, and it’s getting ever harder to differentiate between reality and a trap. Fret not, with a little awareness, soon enough, you’ll become a scam expert at seeing through them. Let’s delve into modern scams, their tricks, and most importantly, tips for avoiding them.
The Rise of High-Tech Scams
Not too long ago, scams consisted of taking a phone call and having an abundance of misspelled words in an email. Today? Today, scammers have artificial intelligence, social networks, and even deepfake technology at their fingertips to make them work for them.
Ever received a voice message that sounded exactly like a family member in a state of urgency, asking for money? That couldn’t have been them, but an AI voice impersonator. How about an Instagram message from a friend stating that they have found a sound investment opportunity? That most probably wasn’t them, but a hacker, impersonating them, in an attempt to manipulate you.
Technology is developing scams that sound ever more real, but with a little consciousness, you can even detect them even before your hands receive them.
How Social Media Fraud Evolves
Social media is a goldmine for scammers. Users have faith in messages received through friends and social influencers, and scammers can go unnoticed between them.
One common scheme is the fake giveaway. You might receive an advertisement saying that you have won a free iPhone or a trip to an exotic destination. All you have to do is click a link and enter your information. That link, in fact, takes one to a site designed to steal your information, not a giveaway site at all.
Another social media scam is a “hacked” account “emergency message”- a classic case of social media identity theft. In case a friend ever messages saying that they’re in a bind and in a state of urgency for money, slow down. Call them and verify first before sending any money.
The Trick of Fake Urgency
Scammers love to rush you. They’ll inform you your bank account is in danger, your delivery can’t arrive unless you act immediately, or your computer is infested with a virus. What’s the purpose? To make you act in a state of alarm and react impulsively, not thinking first.
A real government agency or actual corporation will not harass you in such a way. In case an email, message, or a phone call comes in asking for immediate compliance, slow down and confirm first before proceeding with any actions.
Investment Scams That Sound Too Good to Be Real
With more and more individuals looking for a chance to make extra money, fraudsters have turned investment scams into a profitable business. They assure high returns with little risk, most often through forex trading, cryptocurrencies, or “protected” entrepreneurial ventures.
A common tactic is to make success stories a fabrication. You can have a post about a luxurious car and a lot of earnings, with them stating that it’s all through a certain investment scheme. What they don’t disclose is that they’re sponsored for an ad for a scam scheme.
Before investing in any such opportunity, do your homework. Look for reviews, confirm licenses, and remember, if it feels too good to be real, then it probably is.
The Danger of AI-Generated Scams
AI is not only getting smarter but is actually getting even easier for fraudsters to utilize, and even easier for them to produce undetectable scams with it.
Some AI scams even extend to deepfake videos, in which a scammer manipulates real footage to make a trusted figure say something that no record ever shows them saying. Imagine getting a message from what looks like your company’s CEO, asking you to transfer money immediately. It’s not real—but it looks real.
To stay safe, confirm first and then act later. In case a suspicious request reaches your hands, confirm with them in a direct manner, for instance, a phone call or a face-to-face conversation.
The Classic Romance Fraud—Now Even More Convincing
Romance scams have been in existence for a long time, but technology today can make them sound convincing. Fraudsters will make a profile, build a relationship, and then create a narrative for why they need money.
AI-generated photos and deepfake videos make them even more convincing. Not only can fraudsters use photos taken in intimate settings, but with AI, even new, whole new fabricated profiles don’t even register in reverse image search.
If you’re chatting with an individual via web and won’t use video chat, have a constant alibi for not seeing them in real life, or mysteriously demand cash for an urgency—trust your gut. It’s probably a scammer.
The Job Offer That’s a Sneaky Trap
Job scams have become a growing problem, with a heightened demand for work at home employment. There may be a post in your LinkedIn account announcing a dream job with a high salary and flexible schedule. There is a problem, however: no such company exists.
A common work scam is one in which payment for training materials, background investigations, etc., is requested in anticipation of beginning work. Others will request your bank information, Social Security number, etc., and use it for identity theft.Before accepting a position, research the corporation. Check out their website, review, and under no circumstances pay them for a position to work for them.
How to Outwit the Conmen
So, how can one not fall victim to such scams? There are a few tips to remember:
- Question everything – Don’t respond, but go first and then explore and respond afterwards.
2. Verify sources – Double confirm through a reliable source, whether it’s a work opportunity, an investment, or an immediate request. You can also use free tools like Bitdefender link checker to identify malicious links/websites.
3. Slow down – Fraudsters prefer that you move in a rush. Don’t. Give yourself a chance to think about it.
4. Stay in tune – Fraudsters change, but awareness must follow them. Get educated about new fraud methods through reading current events and cybersecurity reports.
5. Trust your instincts – Whatever seems suspicious, trust your instincts and don’t go any further with it.
Scammers are always changing their methods, but once you recognize the patterns, it’s easier to see through their tricks. Stay alert, stay skeptical, and remember—knowledge is your best defence.
