Scams you have encountered

Once the only one we all knew about was the Nigerian scam, where you were told your distant relative had died or your lottery ticket had won, and all you needed to do to claim it was send a few dollars to cover the cost of transferring the gold to you. Now there are so many varieties of scam that they'd fill an encyclopaedia.

What scams have you encountered yourself? Please include the details for the enlightenment of your audience, but don't tell us if you actually fell for it.

@Kewpie said
Once the only one we all knew about was the Nigerian scam, where you were told your distant relative had died or your lottery ticket had won, and all you needed to do to claim it was send a few dollars to cover the cost of transferring the gold to you. Now there are so many varieties of scam that they'd fill an encyclopaedia.

What scams have you encountered yourself? Ple ...[text shortened]... e the details for the enlightenment of your audience, but don't tell us if you actually fell for it.

@Kewpie said
Once the only one we all knew about was the Nigerian scam, where you were told your distant relative had died or your lottery ticket had won, and all you needed to do to claim it was send a few dollars to cover the cost of transferring the gold to you. Now there are so many varieties of scam that they'd fill an encyclopaedia.

What scams have you encountered yourself? Ple ...[text shortened]... e the details for the enlightenment of your audience, but don't tell us if you actually fell for it.

@Arkturos said
I don't have any examples; however, I will say this:

If anyone answers a call that seems at all fishy (maybe better not to in the first place): don't say anything, lest someone use your tonality or timbre to generate dialog to be used in a subsequent fishing attempt directed at someone else among your connections.

@Kewpie said
What scams have you encountered yourself? Please include the details for the enlightenment of your audience, but don't tell us if you actually fell for it.

@diver said
The number of scams is huge nowadays. One of my email accounts is often bombarded with everything from lost parcels, solar panels, fake retailer accounts, special offers on random stuff such as cryptocurrency, free gifts, prizes and other stuff which I don’t even know what it is.

My parents got caught up in the grandparent scam years ago when my son was in his first year of University. My dad called me asking if my son was in Montreal as he’d received a call from someone who vaguely sounded like him saying he had been arrested and needed money to be released. I said he might be as he had cousins there and would, on occasion head there. I said don’t do anything and that I’d call him back. I then called my son. It turned out he was in class. I called dad back and told him to contact the police and let them know what had transpired.

Some people in my neighborhood were visited by fake policemen who said they needed to inspect the people's gold, to make sure it was genuine. Incredibly, they believed this and handed over several thousand EUs worth of gold to the bandits. Needless to say, they did not recover their valuables. A fool and his gold are soon parted.

TXDOT (but not really txdot) sends me a notice of failure to pay tolls nearly three times a week

got one this morning lol

so far, i have refrained from informing them of what my desire is to do to their cherrios

report
block
delete

"Your account will be deactivated immediately unless you click here to confirm your account details ...."


"DHL has attempted to deliver a package to your door but requires you to pay customs duty. Click here ..."


Don't. Just don't.

@Great-Big-Stees said
My parents got caught up in the grandparent scam years ago when my son was in his first year of University. My dad called me asking if my son was in Montreal as he’d received a call from someone who vaguely sounded like him saying he had been arrested and needed money to be released. I said he might be as he had cousins there and would, on occasion head there. I said ...[text shortened]... n class. I called dad back and told him to contact the police and let them know what had transpired.

@Torunn said
There is a lot of people falling into those traps. I also receive mails such as those you mention but so far no phone-calls or threats.

With AI these days and how they can recreate voices and pictures the scammers can ring you and you would be certain it is your mother Father Daughter etc etc saying they need help / lost phone etc etc


The answer to avoid all scams is quite simple.

HAVE A SAFE WORD OR TWO THAT ONLY YOU AND YOUR CLOSEST KNOW - EVEN HAVE A SEPERATE SAFE WORD FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER

Also

DO NOT SEND EXCHANGE SAID SAFE WORD / PHRASE BY PHONE / EMAIL ETC.

ONLY EXCHANGE IN PERSON.

@Kewpie said
Once the only one we all knew about was the Nigerian scam, where you were told your distant relative had died or your lottery ticket had won, and all you needed to do to claim it was send a few dollars to cover the cost of transferring the gold to you. Now there are so many varieties of scam that they'd fill an encyclopaedia.

What scams have you encountered yourself? Ple ...[text shortened]... e the details for the enlightenment of your audience, but don't tell us if you actually fell for it.