Safety Nets: Spot & Stop Fraud, Scams, & Manipulation

  Quick Links Understanding Scarcity Bias Common Scarcity Bias Scam Tactics How to Overcome Scarcity Bias Scams Frequently Asked Questions Understanding Scarcity Bias Have you ever felt your chest tighten out of fear that a deal you cherish so much would expire in ten minutes? Did you ever panic because there was only one spot left for that job vacancy or apartment tenancy that you desperately desire? If you think the feeling is just a coincidence, you are wrong. Scammers understand it is more than that. They study this phenomenon and rely on it to manipulate people. It is called scarcity bias and represents the idea that things that are limited usually feel more valuable. When scammers combine this with fear, it often compels people to stop thinking and start reacting impulsively. This playbook is common in job scams, crypto scams, visa scams, fake online stores, romance scams, and even fake government grants. Though the story-lines may change, the pressure stays th...

Quick Links: Dissecting The Statement: What Resume Are We Talking About Identifying Clear Red Flags In The Scenario Credible Steps To Prevent Falling Into The Trap Frequently Asked Questions Dissecting The Statement: What Resume Are We Talking About Have you received a call or message telling you, "Hello. Your resume has been approved. Please chat me on WhatsApp." ? Let me guess, you are thinking, "I did not apply for anything" . If that's true, please understand that you are not alone in this encounter. This is one of the common scams going around town right now. It sounds harmless and  professional, but it is a trap. Alright, let's break it down together so you don't get caught in that web or fall for it. First things first, just as your natural instincts ought to prompt you, ask yourself this: " What resume?" Take a moment to think about it. Did you recently apply to fill a job vacancy? Did you send your CV to anybody or compan...

  Quick Links Understanding Relationship Scammers 3 Common Types Of Relationship Scams You Need To Know 9 Red Flags Of Romance, Family & Job Scams Frequently Asked Questions Understanding Relationship Scammers Relationship scammers don’t usually start by asking for your card details.  If they did, you wouldn’t let them get an inch closer, would you? They start by going after your trust, and the  easiest way to do that is to pretend to care and be the kind of person you’ve been hoping would care about you. That’s why these scams cut so deep. When it happens, it’s not just money you lose, you also feel foolish, embarrassed, and like you can’t trust your own judgment anymore. Is it wrong to help or to believe in people?  No. It’s not your fault for wanting to help.  The fault is on the person who decided to use your goodness against you. So how can you stop it?   Today in Safety Nets: Spot & Stop Fraud, Scams, & Manipulation, I’m sharing 9 red...

    Do you like being flattered? Whether you do or don't, this anonymous scam experience will educate your mindset. Quick Links: A Flattery Scam Experience Why Flattery Is Often A Win For Scammers 8 Safety Nets To Safe You Frequently Asked Questions A Flattery Scam Experience I used to love being praised but recently it landed me in trouble. It happened this way. I am a trader dealing in spare parts sales. People call me by a nickname I can't repeat here for security reasons but it's a hype name I carried along  from secondary school days. My fellow traders and almost everyone knows that calling me by that heady nickname is the easiest way to get a favour from me. I didn't know how dangerous that can be, until when some businessmen approached me with a deal. They somehow knew my nickname and mostly used it to address me. They were full of praises for my intelligence, told me they came to me because of my Fame as a smart and successful trader. They way they flattered me,...

  Quick Links What is a scam website? Motives of scam websites 15 Ways To Spot Scam Websites Frequently Asked Questions What is a scam website? A scam website is a fraudulent or fake website that is designed to trick and dupe you. You may think of it as a fake online store. It looks exactly like a true store, with similar or same colors,  logo, and layout. However, instead of offering or selling something original to you, it is simply there to steal  your money,  personal information, or to take control of your accounts. While some of them pretend to be your bank,  others impersonate entities like Amazon, Netflix, FedEx, a university, a government grant program, or even Facebook and Instagram support. At a glance, they don't look  scammy at all, especially to untrained eyes and mindset, and that's the scary part. This is why knowing what to look for and how to spot brand inconsistencies and red flags matters. Just imagine this scenario. You receive a link t...

  Ponzi Schemes like MMM still exist.   This  Safety Nets: Spot and Stop Fraud, Scams and Manipulation   article is a wake-up call and a guide on how you can spot them and  protect yourself. Quick Links: The MMM Story: A Case Study    Common Features of Ponzi Schemes 7 Safety Nets To Protect Yourself From Ponzi Schemes    Frequently Asked Questions The MMM Story: A Case Study Anonymous Contributor  Lagos. Lost: ₦150,000 I joined MMM because everyone around me was joining - my sister, my colleague, even my church group leader. They kept showing bank alerts of “30% in 30 days”. It all sounded too good to ignore. I started small with  ₦50,000. Thirty days later I received ₦65,000. I was very excited, so I went higher by sending ₦150,000.  I could see ₦195,000 sitting right there on my dashboard and  counting down. I waited for payback. It never came One morning the site said "system upgrade" and a week later, "paused for...