Common Scams

You don't get hacked because you're stupid, 0:05 you get hacked because you're human. 0:07 Liars and thieves have been around long before the Internet. 0:09 From con men who trick people into investing into fake schemes to friends 0:12 swiping money from your wallet, scams are nothing new. 0:17 What's changed is that the Internet has given these scammers a bigger playing 0:21 field a allowing them to hide behind screens and 0:25 cover their tracks with just a few clicks. 0:27 That's why being Internet street smart is so important. 0:29 It's not about knowing every single trick in the book, 0:32 it's about knowing how to spot the red flags and ask the right questions. 0:35 The online world moves fast and it's easy to fall into a trap when you're rushing. 0:39 But by learning a few key strategies, you can stay ahead of the game. 0:43 One of the primary methods scammers use to break 0:47 into accounts is is through fake links. 0:50 You might get a message that feels urgent, 0:53 something designed to make you panic and act without thinking. 0:56 It's always a good idea to double check the sender, verify the message, and 1:00 look closely at any links or attachments before clicking. 1:04 For example, does the website URL match what you're expecting? 1:07 If it says chase.net instead of chase.com, that is a huge red flag. 1:11 Scams come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common, 1:16 they can seriously harm finances, identity, and dignity. 1:20 Let's go over some common red flags that should make you think twice before 1:25 clicking or responding. 1:28 Email addresses that don't look quite right. 1:30 For example, 1:33 does it say Chasebank.services instead of Chasebank.com. 1:34 Suspicious attachments or links that you weren't expecting. 1:38 Sender addresses that seem unfamiliar. 1:42 Requests that feel off like asking for personal information or urgent action. 1:45 An unusual tone in a message even from someone you know. 1:50 Generic greetings like dear customer instead of your name. 1:53 Lookalike websites with poor grammar or spelling mistakes. 1:57 Language that feels urgent or threatening. 2:02 The platforms and apps we use push us to move fast, click, swipe, respond. 2:04 But when you slow down, you're more likely to spot the signs of a scam. 2:09 A few extra seconds could save you a lot of trouble. 2:14 Types of Scams. 2:17 There are three main scams that we're gonna cover and 2:19 then we'll take a look at a few more. 2:21 But the first three are trust-based scams, 2:23 hacking based scams, and emerging technology scams. 2:26 Trust-based scams, these scams rely on gaining your trust to trick you into 2:30 sharing personal information. 2:35 It's called social engineering, where scammers manipulate emotions like fear or 2:37 curiosity to get what they want. 2:42 One of the most common forms of social engineering is phishing. 2:44 Phishing attacks are designed to look like legitimate messages 2:49 from trusted entities like your bank or a coworker. 2:53 They often ask you to click on a link or 2:56 provide sensitive information like login credentials or credit card details. 2:58 Phishing remains one of the most common online scams, 3:03 with billions of phishing emails sent every year. 3:06 For example, let's say your uncle shows you a text message about a package that he 3:09 didn't order. 3:13 It's a phishing attempt, but how do you know? 3:14 Look for things like odd grammar, an unfamiliar link, or an urgent tone. 3:17 Help him stay safe by warning him about phishing. 3:22 Hacking-based scams, these scams involve breaking into your accounts or 3:26 devices using malicious software or tactics. 3:31 A common method is through ransomware or malicious QR codes. 3:34 Ransomware is a type of malware that locks you out of your own data and 3:39 the hacker demands payment to give you access again. 3:43 It's like someone breaking into your house, locking up your belongings and 3:47 asking you for money to get back in. 3:51 Ransomware have hit businesses and individuals alike. 3:53 QR code scams, QR codes are convenient, but they can also be dangerous. 3:56 Scammers can embed malicious links into QR codes that lead to harmful websites or 4:01 download malware onto your device. 4:06 Be cautious when scanning QR codes, especially in public places. 4:09 Always ask yourself, do I trust this source? 4:12 For example, you're at a restaurant and you see a QR code to check out the menu, 4:16 but it takes you somewhere strange, that's a red flag. 4:20 Don't scan anything that doesn't come from a trusted source. 4:24 Emerging technology scams, New technologies have introduced new risks. 4:27 AI-generated deepfakes are becoming more common and harder to detect. 4:32 These scams involve highly realistic fake media like videos or 4:36 audio recordings created to deceive you. 4:40 AI deepfake scams, imagine getting a phone call that sounds exactly like a family 4:43 member asking for urgent financial help, but it's not them, it's a deepfake. 4:48 As technology advances, these scams will only become more convincing and dangerous. 4:54 Now let's take a look at a few other scams that aren't as common but 4:58 absolutely exist. 5:02 Social justice and scams. 5:03 While anyone can fall victim to scams, it's important to recognize that 5:05 marginalized communities such as low income individuals, 5:08 immigrants, older adults and people of color are often more vulnerable. 5:12 Scammers exploit inequalities that already exist in society, 5:16 targeting those who may have limited access to digital literacy, resources, 5:20 financial stability or English language skills. 5:24 Economic exploitation, low income communities are frequently the target of 5:28 scams that promise quick financial relief like fake job opportunities or 5:32 payday loan schemes. 5:36 These scams prey on the urgency of economic need, 5:38 leading to financial losses that can often have devastating effects. 5:40 For example, a job seeker in a vulnerable financial situation might respond to a job 5:44 post that offers high pay with minimal effort. 5:49 Only to be scammed out of personal information or 5:52 asked to pay a fee up front for an application fee. 5:55 Language barrier and trust-based scams. 5:57 Immigrant communities and 6:00 people with limited English proficiency are particularly vulnerable to 6:01 trust based scams like phishing or IRS or government impersonation scams. 6:06 These scams often use fear tactics such as threatening deportation or legal action, 6:10 which can be especially effective on individuals 6:15 who aren't familiar with US systems. 6:18 For example, scammers posing as IRS agents will often target immigrant communities, 6:20 threatening them with deportation to arrest them unless they pay immediately 6:25 via gift cards or wire transfers. 6:29 Digital redlining and targeted ads. 6:32 Communities of colors are disproportionately targeted by predatory 6:34 financial ads and digital redlining. 6:37 Algorithms push payday loans, debt consolidation scams, and 6:40 other financial schemes more aggressively to black and brown communities, 6:43 reinforcing systemic inequalities. 6:47 For example, an individual from a marginalized group may see more ads for 6:49 high interest loans. 6:54 Or get more phishing attempts for crypto investment scams due to biased algorithms 6:55 designed to exploit their community's economic struggles. 7:00 By understanding the social justice aspect of online scams, we can see how these 7:03 digital threats disproportionately impact already vulnerable populations. 7:07 The fight for online safety is not just about protecting personal information. 7:12 It's about leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone, 7:16 regardless of their background, has access to the tools and 7:19 knowledge needed to protect themselves in the digital world. 7:22 Let's quickly recap the key points. 7:25 If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 7:27 Scammers often rely on making things sound tempting or urgent to catch you off guard. 7:31 Always take a moment to question offers that seem too perfect. 7:36 Double-check everything. 7:40 Before clicking on links, opening attachments, or 7:42 sharing personal information, verify the source. 7:45 A few extra seconds can save you a lot of trouble down the road. 7:48 Don't click on anything unexpected. 7:52 If you didn't ask for it pause and evaluate, whether it's an email, 7:54 a text, or a link, taking a step back can help you avoid falling for a scam. 7:59 Remember the social justice angle. 8:04 Scams disproportionately affect marginalized communities who 8:07 are often targeted due to economic vulnerabilities, language barriers, 8:10 or limited digital literacy. 8:15 Being aware of this helps us not only protect ourselves, but 8:16 also support those around us who may be in a more vulnerable position. 8:20 If you or someone you know ever gets caught in a scam, don't worry, 8:23 you're not alone. 8:27 Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business Bureau, 8:28 and use the resources we've provided to stay informed. 8:32

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