Scams are constantly evolving, with con artists finding new ways to use personal information against people. They employ various techniques to trick individuals into giving up their personal information or money. By staying informed about potential scams and being vigilant, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to these schemes.

The Buzzer Scam

One such scam is the Buzzer Scam, where con artists hit buttons in an apartment building until someone answers. They then use the scraps of information they have gathered to convince the person to bring them money. This scam has migrated to the internet, with scammers hijacking social media accounts to message everyone on the stolen account’s contact list.

Phone numbers have also been spoofed to make it seem like the scammer is a friend. Text messaging has made it easier for scammers to manipulate victims without ever having to talk to them.

Fake Psychic Mediums

In another scam, a fake psychic medium’s office was set up. The “psychic” would use basic cold reading techniques to gain more information about the mark. With the help of an earpiece, the “psychic” would then feed specific information to the mark, making them believe in their powers. This information was gathered from publicly available sources like Facebook and Twitter.

In another example, a cat-flap was used to deliver a notebook to a shelf. The mark was then convinced that the “psychic” had predicted their future, even though they had never given any of the predicted information.

Building a Wall

One example of a scam involved building a wall and hiding someone inside to listen to a conversation and gather information. This proved that with a little imagination and a crazy method, scammers could leverage people’s beliefs any way they liked.

Questioning Everything

We should always question the who, what, and where of any information we receive, even if it appears to be legitimate or familiar. Scammers can easily create fake accounts with the same name tag as someone and send emails to people on their address book, making it seem like the email is from the person themselves.

It’s important to pay attention to the changing world and stay informed about potential scams. By being vigilant and questioning everything, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to these scams.

Protecting Ourselves from Scams

To avoid falling victim to scams, it’s essential to follow some basic principles:

1. Be cautious of messages from unknown sources, especially if they ask for personal information or money.
2. Keep your personal information private and be aware of the information you share online.
3. Verify the legitimacy of any email, message, or call you receive, even if it appears to come from a familiar source.
4. Educate yourself about common scams and stay up-to-date with new ones.
5. Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
6. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and report any suspicious activity.

In conclusion, scams are everywhere, and they use various techniques to trick people into giving up their personal information or money. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and question everything to protect ourselves from falling victim to these scams. By following these principles and staying informed about potential scams, we can better safeguard ourselves and our personal information.