Why are scammers so successful? According to Rob Pope, Director of CERT NZ (Cyber Security NZ), it’s not because victims of scams are gullible or stupid, it’s because scammers are very good at what they do.
Here are the most common ways scammers take people in – and what to do to protect yourself.
They look (almost) legitimate
Scammers can make their email signatures and websites look almost exactly like trusted companies. So just because it has the Spark NZ logo on it, doesn’t mean it’s from them, for example. The most famous version of this is called phishing – a scammer sends you an email telling you you’ve won a prize, but will need to enter personal details to claim it. Other phishing scams use scare tactics – they’re lawyers or the government threatening legal action. Sometimes they just seem like routine emails from your bank, asking you to update your personal information.
“If you look carefully, you can often spot a giveaway. The domain name might be similar, but not exactly the same as the brand’s, and it might contain odd English, or have footers (small writing right down the bottom) that seem unusual,” says Rob.
If in doubt, says Rob, go to the company’s home page to find a number you know is definitely legitimate, and give them a call. If you think you’ve been phished, take action quickly – let your bank know, and change all your passwords across your email, social accounts, online banking – everywhere!
They seem to know about you
Scammers can uncover all sorts of information about you, and then use this to build your trust – or make you afraid. In one famous case, personal information was used to ‘prove’ that the scammers held the victim’s pornography viewing history. The scammers then blackmailed the victims to protect their privacy. In reality, it was all a bluff.
If someone knows a lot about you, it doesn’t mean what they say is real. Again, if something feels off, do some digging
They’re charming and friendly
Scammers are good at appealing to people’s emotions. They’ll spend time earning your trust so they can eventually exploit you. They can be very charming, and it can be hurtful to believe that your new friend or love has an ulterior motive. In a love scam, tricksters will create fake online profiles, sometimes with the stolen identities of real, trusted people. Their friendship will turn quickly to romance, and they’ll then ask for monetary help – often to pay for plane tickets to meet you in person.
“Connecting with people online is a lovely part of the internet, but it’s important to be suspicious, especially if someone seems to fall in love really fast,” says Rob. “And never, never send money.”
You’re not dumb – they’re very clever
If you’ve been caught by a scammer, don’t beat yourself up – a lot of people before you have been scammed too. Let the pain be your best teacher – check all incoming information to make sure it comes from a legitimate source, and don’t think the person knowing things about you means they can be trusted. Never give out your personal or financial details, never send money, and always remember: if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.