The Most Popular Scamming Tactics of today, and how to avoid them?
- rvjdomrep3
- Apr 2
- 5 min read
The scamming business is a multi-billion dollar illegal but lucrative endeavor that benefits a few peoples without morals and lack or regard of people's livelihoods, but damages many innocent people in many areas, from fake insurance offers that aren't real, to pressure you into giving up personal information, to persuading you into investing your money in a company or online "get rich quick" scheme type of games. Scamming it's not just done by one person, it's done by a group of people that terrorizes and deceive people everyday; they rely on psychology and technology. I will explain some of the most common tactics of scamming from my personal anecdotal experiences and learning from other people's many experiences:
1. The Insurance Scams as a common tactic:
Fake agents offering “special” or discounted policies from an agency that doesn't exist.
They usually request upfront payments before enrollments, they don't give you options, but usually the most expensive monthly insurance bills.
They usually pressure elderly people who are not used the usage of modern technology, which has become a deprave and immoral method of taking their retirement savings and other assets.
Red flags:
They want you to act immediately (“This deal expires today.. hurry up!”)
The company website may not even work, they don't ask you for your email for notifications without sending you strange links to pay.
Overly complex policies and lack of transparency.
What can you do to avoid issues?: Always verify the company through their legitimacy such as websites, policies, insurance coverage from your own search, and tell the scammers that "you will call them back". Also if you are an older person, have a friend, a family member who is skilled to deal with medical insurances, or if they have a friend who works in the medical insurance field that has credibility.
2. Phone Call Scams: The Urgency Trap
Common tactics:
Fake calls from government and bank institutions that pose themselves as a real Bank with the name and a fake number that doesn't exist in the bank or government websites.
Most common names of numbers say "Scam Likely" or "Client Services" calling you from different numbers, but same name.
Some of these scammers don't even live in the country, they live overseas and may ask you for password to remote access on your devices or personal credit lines, business funds and other type of assets you own.
Red flags:
Posers who disguise themselves as real employees for recognized entities.
Empty threats: "your email has been hacked" or "your account is about to be locked"
Lots of these scammers are highly trained to be articulate, and how to say the right things in a confident manner to make the innocent caller feel safe, but it's a tactic.
How to protect yourself: Do not give them any sensitive information to these imposters. Search the Companies (address, phone number, policies, etc) Hang up the phone the moment they ask you for sensitive info and block them.
3. Fake Gurus or Online Teachers: “The Get Rich Quick Scheme"
Lots of these gurus paid ads, publishing companies and testimonials to appear being "real professors" who made a huge amount of wealth as social proof for the viewer.
They show you testimonials with 5 star all reviews by the hundreds, and video reviews.
They offer you basic info you can find only through different social media platforms.
Red flags:
They guarantee you will make ($10,000.00 a month) without knowledge, just your phone and internet. They tell you "get out of the rat race 9-5, and become your own boss".
There is no legitimate accomplishment from the course seller.
Most of the course seller's lifestyle is about rented cars, rented mansion, paid crew "guys who show off expensive jewelry" and sometimes "models to lore both men and women to buy their course, at the end almost everyone gets scammed, they ask you for your email to funnel you into paying for extra courses that don't give you tangible value, some people pay via PayPal, credit cards debit card, sometimes the victims ask for personal loans; and at the end, the scammers pull out the websites and the victims are left devastated, torn, and with debt.
How to protect yourself: There is nothing wrong in having a good job to sustain yourself and your family, and you can save and look for an a extra side of income. Also Look through the content creators info, independent reviews, not just their own website. Look for alternative certified online courses such as universities and trade school programs.
The Identity Theft Tactic
Which ones are the most popular?:
Whether you have Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo or other email accounts, you will see mostly in the spam ones and sometimes in the your inbox phishing emails, and these email may say "Your email is compromised" or "Click this link to clean up your computer".
You may receive calls multiple times a day without anyone speaking, and the scammer may want you to speak a lot like "hello!? or "yes" so they can record your voice and use for malicious intents.
Social media platforms like Instagram, and Facebook are amazing for interactions and sharing mutual experiences, but that are malicious people that could use a fake profile posing as someone you may know, for women or men, they may use a highly attractive model to lure you into revealing nudity, credit card details, emails, and other explicit and illicit information to harm you.
Red flags:
You may receive emails or phone calls to verify your account, address or other details.
Some emails may say threathful, and pressure you into giving personal details, and you will never see these scammers face justice, at least till later in life.
If you somehow get lured into giving sensitive content or information, they may threat your livelihood showing up sensitive information, and even sell your information to third parties dark websites.
How to protect yourself: Use strong passwords, use two-step authentication and passkeys to protect yourself. Only give information to those who have your best interest, and companies that your information is linked to, but do not pose any threat to you such as your legitimate banks you have accounts, your personal or business email, the company you work for, utilities, cable, water, your mortgage or rent, medical insurance and auto insurance, that you know you have connection with them and may payments on the regular.
5. The Win Money Easy Illusion of Easy Cash
Fake giveaways, lotteries, or sweepstakes are the most common ones.
Processing fees if you ever claim something without the state or a real real lottery winning company being involved into the legitimacy of the price you won.
Red flags:
Your did not enter into a contest..."Congratulations, You have won"
Requesting funds in order to "Release your prize" Pay via Paypal or Cash App Now!"
Paid advertisement by unknown companies to lure people into clips and shorts on social media; the moment you click on these phishing links, you will ask to download app and put your information with fake prices like: iphones, computers, millions in cash or crypto, or stocks.
How to protect yourself: If it sounds too good to be true, it's a scam, there is not such thing as winning easy money, whether you have a business, you are a freelancer or you are an investor or you own an actual profitable business, it's never easy making money if you don't understand your work, your target audience or customers, and have a team while simultaneously knowing how to manage your financials. Even playing the lotto...it is about luck, but never develop addiction to gambling either. Avoid all theses "easy click link, play and make millions" schemes, also...delete all those phishing emails from your inbox.
Final Thoughts
The scammers usually succeed due to their them exploiting people's emotions—fear, urgency, excitement, and curiosity. Slowing down and questioning what you’re being told can save you from serious problems.
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