Scammers

Scammers are individuals or groups who use deception to obtain money, valuables, or sensitive information from others. They operate across many settings, including online platforms, telephone calls, mail, and in-person interactions, and may target individuals, businesses, or organizations. Scams can take many forms and often rely on creating a false sense of urgency, trust, or legitimacy to prompt a quick, unthinking response.

Common schemes include phishing and spoofed communications that appear to come from banks or official bodies; voice scams (vishing) and text scams (smishing); romance scams that exploit emotional attachment; tech-support scams that claim a computer is compromised; investment or Ponzi-like schemes promising high returns; counterfeit goods; charity scams; prize and inheritance scams; and business email compromise or fake invoicing used to siphon funds. Scammers frequently employ social engineering, deceptive websites, forged documents, and stolen login credentials to appear credible.

The impact of scams can be substantial, including financial loss, identity theft, damaged credit, and emotional distress. Victims may face long-term consequences such as disrupted finances, slowed recovery, and erosion of trust in legitimate organizations.

Prevention and response emphasize verification and restraint. Verify identities and offers through official channels, and be wary of unsolicited requests, pressure to act quickly, or requests for personal information or unusual payment methods. Use secure payment options, enable two-factor authentication, and keep software up to date. If targeted or defrauded, report to appropriate authorities, such as consumer protection agencies or cybercrime hotlines, and preserve records to aid investigations and potential remedies.