Scams

[Nebulous]

What are some scams everybody should be made aware of?

What are the warning signs someone might be trying to scam you?

 

[DrLeftover]

They won't give you anything in writing, want cash, cannot produce a government issued ID or permit, and/or ask if You are a member of Law Enforcement.

I have taken to answering the last with "yes, retired", you'd be surprised how many times that has ended the conversation.

 

[Evil Eye]

"You are the 100000 visitor!"
"Win a free iPad!"

 

[JetWing34]

"Congratulations, you won a free Wii"
"Want to date a sexy girl? Click here!"

 

[DrLeftover]

Hello, freind, you are probably amaized to hear from me after all this years, but I am writting to you about an matter of urgent importance. My uncle you who might remember died suddenly and left a fortune of 175 million American Dollars US and I need to have it deposited outside my country or the govermnetnts will size it. All I need you to do for you to get your generis share is....
totally fictitious example of the infamous 419 scam


--
a slightly out of date (because I gave up doing it) Greatest Hits List of ....

URBAN LEGENDS, SCAMS, VIRUS HOAXES, AND OTHER NONSENSE

is here:
http://www.themediadesk.com/files/urban.htm

including the 419 scam I ended up getting a death threat over when I turned the tables on the scammer.

 

[Nebulous]

Anyone randomly knocking at your door claiming to be from the power company, gas company, etc etc. If you say something like "Let me call the main office and ask if you're supposed to be here" that'll send them on their way.

 

[Jazzy]

This is an old one that's still happening:

The IC3 continues to receive reports of individuals’ e-mail or social networking accounts being compromised and used in a social engineering scam to swindle consumers out of thousands of dollars. Portraying to be the victim, the hacker uses the victim’s account to send a notice to their contacts. The notice claims the victim is in immediate need of money due to being robbed of their credit cards, passport, money, and cell phone; leaving them stranded in London or some other location. Some claim they only have a few days to pay their hotel bill and promise to reimburse upon their return home. A sense of urgency to help their friend/contact may cause the recipient to fail to validate the claim, increasing the likelihood of them falling for this scam.

For more and how to report scams

 

[.Xstinct]

It seems all the "Nigerian"scams are also still active......

 

[Icetex]

Aol spam scam
Like lotto,claiming funds,pretend be military or fbi(i had one fake fbi scam email)
fbi one looked too legitment but as i read if they really wanted contact me they will call my house or call my parents
and like and also claiming be family members or friend
I always read them they always send attachments with said email never download them their malware or Trojan
way I know their fake because fund or money claim be million of dollars
something in rare cases be billions and million in GBP or Euros
I don't even live in uk
and also fake life insurance from x person died left hairence to you
i see that all time with aol mail
in come cases they miss spell