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

  Quick Links: Why You Need To Understand Documentation Before Anything Else The Most Important Rule Step-by-step Procedure To Document Your Experience Frequently Asked Questions Why You Need To Understand Documentation Before Anything Else If you have ever been scammed, you would realize that the first most common feeling is usually panic and anger. You would want to report the incident immediately while desperately desiring that the police would act fast on it. However, when you get to the police station or file an online report, you are usually subjected to a barrage of questions and discover you lack most of the details because you did not prepare for them at all. For example, you are asked for evidence you may not have. Even when you think you have all the pieces, they are certainly not tidy or in proper order and your story feels scattered. The truth is this: the police cannot act on your emotions. They need credible evidence.  As a result how you document what...

Quick Links: Information Leakage Understanding the dangers of unguarded talk Things you should never say to a scammer Frequently Asked Questions Information Leakage Most people think the worst thing you can do is to send money to a scammer. Truly, losing money is a terrible blow.  However, this unfortunate incident  begins with unguarded talk - especially on an open line . Scammers are trained listeners. Besides trying to steal from you today, they are equally collecting information to steal from you or someone who trusts you anytime in the future. So to them, every word you say represents data. Every answer you give is a clue. Whenever a calling  scammer pretends to be a bank officer, a police officer, an employer, or even a lover, believe me, they already have a script, with gaps in it they need your cooperation to fill with your personal details. Can you now understand that if you say the wrong thing, you make their job easy? That's what I intend to talk abou...

  Quick Links: Understanding Overpayment Scams How Do Overpayment Scams Work? Common Overpay Scam Messages and Tricks What To Do If You Receive Such a Message Frequently Asked Questions Understanding Overpayment Scams Were you ever contacted online by someone claiming to have paid you more than they should? If so you could be dealing with an overpayment scam which is a common trick used by scammers to steal your money. In this Safety Nets article, I will explain how overpayment scams work, what the messages look like, and most importantly, how you can protect yourself from falling victim. Let us get down to it. An overpayment scam is designed to trick you into believing you received too much money for something. The scammer then asks you to send back the extra amount from your own money. Usually the so-called first payment is fake, non-existent, or stolen and will later disappear. On the contrary the money you send back is real and you lose it. Overpayment scams are most...

  How To Know If A Viral Side Hustle Is A Scam Before You Lose Money Quick Links: Can A Viral Side Hustle Be Fake? 8 Signs That A Viral Side Hustle Is A Scam 7 Steps To Protect Yourself Against Scam Viral Side Hustles Frequently Asked Questions Can A Viral Side Hustle Be Fake? We are today in a digital world where new side hustles pop up online and everywhere daily. They seem to go viral by the seconds and are broadcast  on TikTok, WhatsApp, Instagram, in group chats. It is not surprising that most of us find it impossible to resist them or any opportunity to make extra money from our phones. However, I need to frankly point you to a fact. It is not every viral  opportunity we should regard as genuine, legitimate, or safe. As a matter of fact, some of them are deliberately tailored to deceive and lure you into a duper's trap. As a result, it will save you a lot of stress if you can discover how to identify fake ones early enough. That's precisely what this Safety...

  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...