By Ori Blank 

Imagine getting a text notification from an unidentified phone number claiming to be your bank, saying that your account has been locked. The message seems legitimate, contains the bank’s logo, and asks you to click a link to verify your identity. Concerned, you click on the link and input your username and password. You have just been scammed.

According to Pew Research Center, “73% of US adults have experienced some kind of online scam or attack”. In a world where bad actors exist to steal your personal information, impersonate other people, and gain access to online accounts any chance they get, people begin to question who they can trust online.

Fortunately, understanding how scammers operate and recognizing common red flags can largely reduce your chances of being on the receiving end of the scam. Scammers hardly succeed through advanced technology alone and instead depend on a tactic called social engineering. In doing so, rather than hacking into an account themselves, they prefer manipulating people into revealing confidential information or taking action they normally would not.

The main driving force behind a scam is usually emotional manipulation. Scammers create a sense of urgency to push victims to take action without giving them time to think critically. These scams typically invoke fear, excitement, curiosity, or anxiety out of you. Scams can range from telling you that your account has been compromised or that you have won a prize. Some scams might even go as far as telling you that your loved one is in danger. Additionally, scams can appear in many forms; some examples of common forms of scams include, but are not limited to: text messages or emails pretending to be a trusted organization such as a bank, a social media account pretending to be a friend or celebrity, or even on a gaming platform where scammers offer free in-game items or currency in exchange for login credentials.

The grave consequences of being the victim of a scam can extend beyond financial loss. Compromised personal information can be used to access online accounts, impersonate victims, target friends and family members, or commit identity theft. Sometimes, victims may not realize their information has been compromised until weeks or months later.

Despite the fact that scammers continue to develop new tactics, many of their methods share common red flags. Knowing how to recognize these red flags when you see them is one of the best ways to stay safe online.

Steps you can take to prevent yourself from getting scammed:

  • Identify any red flags: It is important to stop and think before you click. Does the message contain a strong sense of urgency to click a link? Does the phone number contain an area code in which you are unfamiliar or does the email contain a bunch of random characters? Is the sender asking for an egregious amount of money or perhaps personal information, passwords, or financial details? Were you expecting this message at all in the first place? If you answer yes to any of these questions except the last one, chances are this is a scam. Trust your instincts and verify through an official source before taking any action.
  • Protect personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive details of identification online, such as your address, phone number, email, passwords, school name, or daily routine.
  • Use strong personal passwords: Don’t use the same password across multiple accounts and platforms and always use two-factor authentication. If one account somehow gets compromised, scammers may try to use that password as leverage to access your other accounts. Make passwords that are difficult to guess and do not include your personal information, such as your birthday, home address, and name.
  • Verify identities: If the scam is pretending to be someone you know, be it a friend, family member, colleague, or organization, verify this through a trustworthy method before responding.
  • Reassess privacy settings: Limit who can see your social media profile, photos, and private information. Remember, anyone can see what you are up to on a public social media account, including strangers. When you’re on a private social media account, only accept follow requests from people you know in real life.
  • Report suspicious messages or accounts: If a fraudulent phone number, email, social media account, or other outlet reaches out to you, block immediately. Social media platforms also grant you the ability to report said account. There are resources such as the Federal Trade Commission that allows you to report fraud should someone try to scam you.
  • Stay cautious with online friendships: Remember that if anyone behind the screen may not be who they claim to be, then this is no different with people who you may be friends with online. Keep a distance online by setting healthy boundaries and be cautious about the personal information you share with the people whom you have only met online.

Conversation starters:

  1. Have you ever received a text message that seemed suspicious or too good to be true?
  2. What steps can families take together to stay safe online?
  3. What personal information do you think is safe to share online, and what personal information would you keep to yourself?
  4. What is the first thing you check for when trying to identify a scam?
  5. Why do you believe scammers often create a sense of urgency when contacting potential victims?
  6. How do you decide whether someone you meet online is trustworthy?

Learn more:

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