(DailyAnswer.org) – A report issued by the Consumer Sentinel Network indicated that 2.4 million frauds were reported in 2022. $8.8 was reported in losses compared to $6.1 billion lost in 2021. This indicates that scammers are upping their game each day. Scammers have diverse tactics to extort some extra bucks from your hard-earned money. Some use tricks, and you have fallen into their games without conscience. These are some of the ways people have fallen to scammers. Take notice so that you don’t.
“Free” Trials
Everyone loves a bargain, and when “free” is in the clause, it is worth a trial since you have nothing to lose. According to a survey, 42 percent of consumers still pay for a subscription they do not use. After being enticed by a free trial, many people forget that they must cancel the subscription if it is not worth paying. Many subscriptions have automatic renewals, and if you don’t cancel within the free trial period, more deductions will still be made from your card.
Also, be aware of scammers who contact you that your passwords from sites such as Spotify or Netflix have been compromised. They usually ask you to click on a link for account verification. These Phishing scams will give up your personal information, which might cost you a fortune. Take caution and log in to the specific sites to see if there is any pending action.
Holiday Scams
The festive season comes with attractive deals and offers. Scammers take this opportunity to advertise and sell products or tickets they will never deliver. According to a 2021 report by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), consumers lost more than $337 million in non-delivery or non-payment scams. In non-delivery, consumers paid for items that were not delivered, while in non-payment scams, suppliers shipped goods, but they were not paid for.
To avoid these scams, be cautious about the sites you buy from. Always check your card statements to note suspicious charges and report them as a dispute to your card provider. Reporting to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is also advisable.
Romance Scams
Romance scammers will tell every lie to gain your trust. The lies have since proved to work. Over 70,000 people have been victims of romance scams, losing $1.3 billion. These scammers promise an undying commitment and pose as serious matches. They then come up with needs such as medical emergencies that require some money. Any effort to meet them in person is futile since they use fake profiles and fake occupations, such as a military officer based in remote areas or an offshore oil rig worker. To avoid being a victim, take everything slowly and watch every detail. Meeting the person in a public place ensures your safety and helps you distinguish genuine people from fake profiles. Never send money or share your card details with anyone you have only communicated with on the phone or any online platform.
Lottery
According to Wonderopolis, your chances of correctly predicting all six numbers and winning the lottery is one in 13,983,816. If you purchase a ticket every week, you can only win once in 269,000 years. The chances are essentially zero. Many people find this pill to swallow, but lotteries are a hard way to get rich. Spending the few bucks you throw in the tickets to buy something guaranteed is better. The chance of having your taxes audited is four in 1000, which is still better than winning the lottery.
Bottom line
Losing money in scams is the worst way to spend your money. Always go slow and understand all the risks before tapping send when money is involved. Scammers are impatient, and you might know when it is business unusual.
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