I Thought I Was Saving My Daughter, But I Was Being Scammed
How Scammers Use Social Engineering to Steal Money
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
As digital payment scams become more prevalent, they are also more sophisticated, making them harder to detect. Scammers employ what is known as “social engineering” to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information. It’s all about the psychology of persuasion. These scammers take advantage of human nature, aiming to lower your defenses so you’ll act on impulse rather than reason.
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it fraudulently for their own financial gain. In a world where our digital footprints leave traces of our lives everywhere, understanding the mechanisms behind identity theft is paramount. By staying informed and adopting vigilant habits, we can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, ensuring that our identities remain securely our own.
Tech support fraud occurs when the subject claims to be associated with a computer software or security company, or even a cable or Internet company, offering technical support to the victim. Phony tech support companies utilize several different methods to contact or lure their victims. This list is not all inclusive, as the subjects are always varying their schemes.
A money mule acts as a layer of distance between a scammer and their victims by handling stolen funds on behalf of someone else, either knowingly or unknowingly. Money mules make a scam harder to trace and the money even harder to find.
Beware of offers that promise quick cash or a commission in exchange for receiving money and then sending it to someone else. This may take the form of a fake job opportunity, investment scheme, or prize award.
