Scams are getting personal – Don’t get fooled by fakes
Callie Smith from Virginia was excited to see an Olivia Rodrigo concert. The $700 price tag? Not so much. Luckily, she found an Instagram account selling two-for-one tickets to the show.
Callie did a quick Google search and even video-chatted with the seller. Feeling comfortable, she sent $700 through Apple Cash. Instead of sending tickets, the seller immediately blocked her. She lost out on the show, and, thanks to Apple Cash’s lack of fraud protections, Callie lost her money, too.
She thought she did her research. But these days, you have to dig deeper. Let’s talk about how to step up your sleuthing game and avoid getting fooled.
Ask a ton of questions
If someone says they’re a family member or an old friend, ask them something super-specific a fake couldn’t find on social media — think your senior class prank or your uncle’s favorite corny joke.
For potential partners, ask for details about previous employers, schools and some names of their friends. Recruiters? Ask them for a reference.
💡 Pro tip: Ask for more pictures and do a reverse image search. How? Drag and drop the pics into Google Images. If they pop up as part of another public profile, that’s a red flag.
Let them know you’re doing your research
Cross-reference all their answers to make sure names, details and photos match up. Let them know you’re doing it and pay attention to their reaction. A well-intentioned person won’t balk. If they seem annoyed or their response leaves you feeling uneasy, stop the conversation and block ‘em.
No news isn’t good news
When you’re researching someone, don’t assume a lack of information is a green light. It can actually be the opposite. A real job recruiter, for example, should have a verifiable, professional online presence on LinkedIn or their company’s website. Thin search results are a red flag.
Out of bounds
When chatting online, play it safe and keep communication on the platform where you started the convo. Big platforms like LinkedIn and Bumble have built-in BS-detection tools, like profile authentication.
👍 Rule of thumb: Don’t move the convo elsewhere until you’ve met the person IRL.
Cover your butt
If you have to send money online, do it through an app with built-in purchase protection, like PayPal. Venmo works, too. Tap the Purchase Protection toggle in the app to tell Venmo you’re paying for a good or service before you pay.
Oh, and you should never have to share personal info like your Social Security number to pay someone else. If anyone gives you a hard time about the security measures you’re taking, run for the hills.
The No. 1 way to keep yourself safe?
Slow down. Take a deep breath, read carefully and vet whoever’s on the other end. No trustworthy person or business will ever pressure you into forking over cash. Scammers rely on your wanting to believe a life-changing investment, prince charming or killer deal will just drop in your lap.
🎣 If being a 23-year-old Norwegian swimwear model has taught me anything, it’s that catfishing is surprisingly easy online. Kidding!
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
- National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast
- Daily newsletter: Join 575,000 people who read The Current (free!)
- Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
- Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcasts
Tags: Apple, Google, scams, security
Share:
