Here at Tech Anoa, we’re experts on scams. We understand that scams are complicated and clever. They can cost you time, money, and personal information, leaving you feeling foolish. It’s easy to wonder how someone could get tricked by a scam, but remember, scammers are always working on new ways to target your specific weaknesses.
Our senior editor, Brendan Greenley, learned this the hard way. After moving to a new home, Brendan found what seemed like the perfect couch on Craigslist. It was a scotch-guarded model, just like he wanted, and the price was great—only $800, including delivery.
He talked to the seller and planned to see the couch that weekend. The seller asked for a $50 deposit through Zelle to hold the couch, which Brendan sent.
However, when he tried to get the exact address, he couldn’t reach the seller anymore. He then checked the location and found out the streets didn’t even cross each other. Also, the phone number he had been texting was out of service. Brendan realized too late that it was a scam.
Looking back, Brendan admits he overlooked some red flags because he wanted the deal to be real. This shows that anyone can fall for a scam if it hits the right note. If you ever find yourself a victim of a scam, remember, it’s easy to get caught when you least expect it. Here’s what you should do if it happens to you.
Why people don’t report scams
I don’t think I’m the kind of person scammers target. I know a lot about technology and I’m careful about trusting people. But really, anyone can be scammed. Rich people, smart people—anyone can be a target.
A few years ago, I listened to the “Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen” podcast. It talked about a scam where young creatives were tricked into thinking they were getting a big break in Hollywood. I realized I would have fallen for it too.
The Washington Post explained that it’s easy to see the warning signs of a scam after it happens. They talked about how scams promise big, sure returns, or how scammers use people we trust to fool us. They also mentioned that sometimes, there’s no real proof of what the scammers are saying. People often don’t see these signs because they don’t want to seem greedy or foolish. This is why many people don’t talk about being scammed.
The main point of the “Chameleon” podcast and the Washington Post article is that scams keep happening because people are too embarrassed to admit they were tricked. Sometimes, the victims know the scammer and can’t believe they were fooled. They feel too ashamed to tell others or to report the scam to the authorities. This lets the scammer keep tricking new people.
Always report a scam, whether you fell for it or not
There are so many scams on the internet and other places that it can be hard to know who to tell when you see one. The “Scams and Frauds” page on USA.gov shows how you can report different scams to the government and other groups.
For common scams like fake tech support calls, bogus checks, and loan tricks, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main place to report them. You can report a scam to the FTC at this link.
The government uses these reports to see what scams are happening and to take action against businesses or groups that let scams happen. Even though the government won’t follow up with you after you report a scam, and they can’t get your lost money back, reporting it can help others. Also, if you need to make an insurance claim because of the scam, you might need a police report first.
How to avoid getting scammed in the first place
We have a full guide on how to stay away from online scams. It includes tips like never sharing your passwords and not clicking on links in unexpected emails. But the best rule to avoid scams is simple: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
This rule applies to everything—job offers, great deals, someone claiming to want to marry you, or even a super cheap couch. If it sounds perfect, be cautious.
Also, it’s important not to rush because a scammer is trying to panic you. For instance, I got an email this week saying my Amazon account was hacked. I was worried at first, but then I remembered I don’t have an Amazon account. If I did, the safest thing to do would be to go to the website myself by typing it into my browser, not by clicking on a link in the email.
For more tips on avoiding common online scams, check out our latest advice.