Scammers often use what’s known as a “sales funnel” to deceive people. Unlike legitimate businesses that adhere to ethical standards and understand that not everyone will find their offerings valuable, scammers are solely focused on their own gain. They constantly seek new schemes, abandoning unsuccessful ones for new ones. Recognizing a scam often involves identifying certain characteristics:
- Appealing Offers: Scams promise high rewards with minimal effort, like earning $250 a day. These too-good-to-be-true offers raise suspicion.
- Anonymity: Scammers often reach out through anonymous channels like email or chat platforms, making it easier to target many people quickly. If you don’t know the sender, be cautious.
- Self-Segmentation: Scams rely on individuals who are easily persuaded or willing to share personal data, such as in inheritance scams or requests for financial information.
- Redirects: Scammers often move conversations to different platforms or chats to gauge interest and commitment from potential victims.
- Lack of Credible Links: Genuine offers usually have verifiable information on reputable websites. In scams, links may be absent or lead to suspicious sites.
- Urgency: Scams often pressure victims to act quickly, exploiting the fear of missing out or the desire for immediate gratification.
These tactics exploit psychological biases, such as the allure of freebies, the fear of scarcity, and the tendency to prioritize immediate actions. Understanding these tactics can help you avoid falling victim to scams.
One scam scheme that misuses the name of marketing agencies involves luring individuals into participating in supposed advertising campaigns. Victims receive messages, often via platforms like Telegram, promising them the opportunity to earn money by engaging in promotional activities. They are then asked to confirm their ability to receive compensation and to complete tasks like liking social media pages and profiles. Next, they’re directed to send proof of completing these tasks to a Telegram profile provided by the scammers.
CHECKLIST: HOW TO IDENTIFY A SCAM
- You’re contacted through an anonymous channel by someone you don’t know.
- The offer seems too good to be true.
- There’s pressure to take immediate action.
- No verifiable links are provided.
- They ask for information that could make you vulnerable to the scam.
- They become agitated when you show skepticism or refuse to comply, indicating they’re losing their grip on you.
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