Avoid Internet Scams

  • The Rise of the Machines: Bracing for AI-Powered Scams and Deepfakes

    The landscape of internet scams is on the brink of a dramatic transformation, powered by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers incredible benefits, it also provides scammers with powerful new tools to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect than ever before. We are moving beyond poorly written emails and entering…

  • The Price is Wrong: How to Safely Navigate the World of Online Shopping

    Online shopping offers unparalleled convenience and choice, but it also opens the door for a new breed of scam artists. From sophisticated fake websites to deceptive social media ads, online shopping scams are designed to take your money without delivering the promised goods. These scams often peak during busy shopping seasons, but they are a…

  • Guarding the Vulnerable: How to Protect Seniors from Online Scams

    As more seniors embrace technology, they are increasingly becoming prime targets for online scammers. Scammers often perceive older adults as being more trusting, less tech-savvy, and more likely to have significant savings. They exploit these vulnerabilities with a range of scams, from the classic grandparent scam to sophisticated tech support and romance frauds. Protecting our…

  • I’ve Been Scammed, Now What? A Step-by-Step Guide to Damage Control

    The realization that you’ve been scammed can be a mixture of panic, anger, and embarrassment. It’s a deeply unsettling experience, but it’s crucial to act quickly and methodically to minimize the damage. Scammers rely on their victims being too ashamed or confused to take immediate action. The moments following a scam are critical for protecting…

  • Don’t Take the Bait: A Deep Dive into Phishing Scams

    In the vast ocean of the internet, not everything that glitters is gold. Phishing scams are one of the most common and enduring threats you’ll encounter online. These fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, are cleverly disguised as trustworthy communications. Scammers cast a wide net, hoping to…

  • Held Hostage: Understanding and Defending Against Ransomware Attacks

    Imagine turning on your computer to find a chilling message: all your personal files—photos, documents, financial records—have been encrypted and are now inaccessible. To get them back, you must pay a ransom to an anonymous attacker. This is the reality of a ransomware attack, one of the most destructive and feared forms of malware. Ransomware…

  • Too Good to Be True: A Guide to Spotting and Avoiding Investment Scams

    In a world of financial uncertainty, the promise of high-guaranteed returns with little to no risk can be incredibly tempting. This is the bait used by investment scammers to lure in hopeful investors. These fraudulent schemes promise wealth and financial freedom but are designed to do one thing: steal your hard-earned money. From cryptocurrency cons…

  • Congratulations, You’ve Won! The Truth Behind Lottery and Prize Scams

    An unexpected email or text message arrives, announcing that you’ve won a huge lottery prize, a new car, or a dream vacation. The initial rush of excitement can be powerful, but this is exactly what scammers are counting on. Lottery and prize scams are a classic form of advance-fee fraud, where you are tricked into…

  • The Social Media Minefield: How to Dodge Scams on Your Favorite Platforms

    Social media connects us with friends, family, and the world, but it’s also a fertile ground for scammers. The trust-based nature of these platforms makes them an ideal environment for fraudsters to execute a wide variety of cons. From fake celebrity giveaways and deceptive advertisements to impersonation accounts and direct phishing attempts, the threats are…

  • Broken Hearts & Empty Wallets: Unmasking the Modern Romance Scammer

    The search for love and connection is a fundamental human desire, but in the digital age, it’s a vulnerability that scammers are all too eager to exploit. Romance scams, also known as catfishing, are a particularly cruel form of fraud that preys on emotions. These scams involve a fraudster creating a fake online identity to…

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