In today’s digital world, scams are rife. There is so much money held online, in addition to digital assets circulating the internet that much of it is falling into the hands of scammers. Financial scams are getting more advanced, and ultimately harder to spot. Staying vigilant is key which also involves having an awareness of how these scammers will try to catch you out. In this blog, we will share 3 common scams to keep an eye out for. In today’s climate, they are considered some of the most common, in addition to some of the most devastating should they gain access to your private data. Take a look at the following suggestion :
AI Scams
Ai has been somewhat of a ‘buzzword’ over the last 12 months. People everywhere are utilizing the technology and support that AI has created. Unfortunately, AI has also fallen into the hands of scammers who know how to use its power to capture people’s attention. The most bizarre yet frightening way in which AI is being used is through ‘deep fake’ videos that are being created of favourite celebrities. Ai is recreating the image, movement and speech of known faces, to share false news about investment opportunities for the masses. Some victims have fallen for this fake marketing tactic and lost thousands to these schemes. They are also reaching out to people through fake accounts and phone calls, using AI voiceovers to mask themselves and convince unsuspecting people that they are talking with their favourite celebrities. Do not be fooled if you see a video of your favourite celebrity asking you to send money or information.
Romance Scams
Romance scams are sinister, yet one of the most common ways in which people are having their finances and private information stolen. Scammers are creating fake profiles on dating apps, with an entirely false identity based on looking for a partner. Once matched with users, they do everything in their power to gain the trust of the person they are speaking with. Then, they strike, asking for money to help them out of a crisis, or even asking for personal images to then blackmail them into sending money. Never send money or private information to someone you have never met before. These profiles are extremely experienced in fooling their victims, so stay cautious when meeting people online.
Phishing Scams
Last but certainly not least, phishing scams are rife right now. With messages coming in through text messages, social media inboxes, emails and even phone calls, scammers are using everything they can to send details to victims in the hopes they click a malware link. These links often send a virus into the user’s device, exposing their personal information to the wrong hands. Messages posing as delivery services, governments, and even family members are being sent to phishing targets. Never click links from suspicious messages as this will put you at risk of having your data stolen.
Bottom line
If you have fallen for any of these common scams, it would be a good idea to get in touch with an investment fraud lawyer such as WRS. You may have been encouraged to invest in a crypto scam by romance scammers, or perhaps your devices have been hacked due to a phishing message. Contact your local authorities, and if finances have been stolen, get in touch with lawyers who can trace your money and find the perpetrators.