It should be safe to say that the days of early email scams involving Nigerian Princes and long-lost relatives looking to leave millions of dollars to you are over. In fact, we hope both of these parties found each other, to everyone’s benefit. Still, the internet and modern technology are still in their infancy, regardless of how old they may actually feel. And because of that simple fact, these relatively early practices are able to be scammed… easily. Therefore, parents, grandparents, children, friends, and even acquaintances should all be aware of these high-tech scams. Learn how to keep your personal information and financial credentials safe from these modern-day scams of the sometimes scary online world. 

We’ve all fallen for this one… reaching out to grab that shiny new coin on the ground - just to find out it’s intentionally glued there. Sure, you may think it’s a harmless prank but if this occurs in a crowded city space, you should think twice. When you’re reaching down, pickpockets may run up behind you and grab any loose hanging valuables. There’s a higher chance you won’t feel the act as well, especially since you’re focused on the money below. Or, uncommonly, they’ll push you over when you’re at your weakest point and grab whatever falls away from you. 

Spam filters in email and text messaging have certainly evolved since the early internet days. That said, not everything is caught and filtered out. So, if you’re suddenly declared the sweepstakes winner or giveaway winner, be suspicious. If you don’t remember signing up for any of the legitimate offers out there, these “congratulatory” messages are just attempts to gain access to more personal information. Don’t let them catch you in a moment of surprise. 

The “old-school” thieves of yesteryear won’t bother with card scanning devices. Instead, they’ll stand behind you at the ATM and look over your shoulder. It’s as simple as that. Be mindful of the space wherever you go and the people near you during an ATM transaction.

Some may disagree with this statement but some crooked individuals are willing to invest some money into their more “official” looking scams. Fake letters from the IRS, the federal or local government, bank, credit-monitoring organizations, and other high-profile authorities might ask you about missed or late payments, additional payment information or confirmation, and other personal information. Some of these letters might have even brought out all the stops to make their letterheads as authentic-looking as possible. Therefore, if any of these questionable letters make it to you, call these authorities directly to ensure these demands are real. But please don’t call using the numbers printed on these papers. 

In one of the more public scams on this list, an individual or family will ask you to take a photo of them - most likely in a crowded tourist attraction. Once you’ve taken a picture of their smiling faces, they’ll exclaim loudly that you broke their phone or camera and request cash on the spot. Assuming you didn’t drop it, their claims are illegitimate. Don’t stick around for their shenanigans to continue. Quickly and quietly get away.

In one of the most unethical scams out there, ruthless scam artists will ask a kind soul to “hold my baby.” The first scammer may stick around or promptly run away while a second scammer comes up from behind and easily digs into your pockets or purse… you are holding a baby, after all. Being the reasonable and ethical person you are, you won’t run after the criminal. Instead, you’ll look for a law enforcement official to help with the baby situation during this bizarre predicament. 

Thankfully, scalpers need to try harder and harder to get around stadium enforcement officials and online marketplace guidelines when selling tickets. Sure, some of these sellers might be legitimate, but many are often selling fake tickets (disguised as hope). Don’t take the chance… buy from an official ticket reseller, instead. 

As more and more individuals choose credit cards as their go-to payment method, thieves have followed suit. These crooks use slick little devices that overlap the slots of real credit card readers, stealing your card information in the process. Don’t let these clever devices get you and your card. Our easiest tip to combat these little machines is to simply give the card reader a gentle tug. If it comes loose or you hear a rattle, you might want to find another machine. Otherwise, you’re good to go. 

Chances are you’ve found a USB drive laying on the ground, probably in a library. You may have returned it to the front desk but others will have stuck it into their PC looking for spicy secrets. If you see one on the ground, don’t bother picking it up and certainly don’t insert it into your computer. These seemingly innocent storage devices may carry stealthy programs that automatically install when plugged in. These hidden programs and files, in turn, steal your information and send it back to the hacker. 

Fake cops, particularly in foreign countries, can be one of the more difficult scammers to spot. Uniformed authoritative figures are most likely the real deal but there are a few bad actors with some very convincing costumes. First, take a second to look up the local police department and memorize the look of their uniforms. Second, never hand over the entirety of your wallet. Merely hand over what is requested. There’s no need to give them everything in one pretty package.

A fake taxis service can leave you in a nasty predicament. If you’re first traveling to or leaving your hotel (with luggage), we recommend doing so with the hotel-provided taxi or shuttle. If traveling to a foreign land, untrustworthy taxi drivers might help you with your bags but skip the part where you also get in. In other words, they drove off with your belongings. That’s not great… especially if they contain your passport documents.

Through stolen keys or doors unlocked by an actual room service employee that just isn’t paying attention, fake cleaning staff have free tabs to grab any valuables in and out of view. If you’re truly concerned about the safety of your most valued valuables, take advantage of the room safe. 

Call it dumpster diving or trash picking, much can be discovered about you from your domestic waste. Un-shredded paper and documents can reveal important names, dates, account numbers, and more… all because “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” We’re not saying one is required, but if you’re absolutely concerned about the legible nature of your important papers, invest in a paper shredder. 

An unknown caller calls your cellphone. You pick up. For one reason or another, the quality just isn't there. Eventually, all that you can make out is “can you hear me?” The natural response “yes”… is actually a mistake. Why? Your short, 3-letter response can be recorded and later used against you. How? Well, this virtual scam artist can confirm bank account changes on your behalf or agree to audio contracts using your recording. Instead of saying “yes,” repeat the question yourself. “Can you hear me?”

This one goes without saying. The Internal Revenue Service (AKA the federal tax service) will never reach out to you regarding your account or any payments and concerns over the phone. They will always, always send a mailed letterhead to your residence. 

Phone calls coming from an employee or associate of so-and-so bank may seem legitimate, but if they ever request confirmation of bank account numbers or passwords, be concerned. If you believe the call is a bit fishy, hang up and call your bank’s official customer service line. They will be able to assist you in the most private and straightforward manner.

Sometimes you’ll receive a call from an unknown number. As soon as you lift a finger to accept the call, the call is already over. Poof, ended. If you were expecting a call, type that number into Google and see if any results come up. If not, you’re probably being baited to call back. And unbeknownst to you, you may be calling a hotline that will charge you several dollars by the minute.

If your family is known to have some money, this scam may affect you more so than the rest of the middle class. It’s possible that a scam artist will call your home or cell, mentioning that they have kidnapped a friend or family member. Of course, they’ll want money, preferably untraceable. Rather than instantly throw your money away for the safe return of a loved one, ask for a callback number (to buy time) and then reach out to said friend or family member directly. If there is a sense of real danger, call the authorities. 

We’ve had relatives deal with this issue before. Whether PC or Mac, large tech corporations like Apple and Microsoft will never reach out to you regarding a detected virus. They’re too busy for that. But you know who isn’t too busy for that? Thieves.

The most ruthless scammers out there will target your lovely grandparents, hoping to convince them that they are your children. This is a more difficult scam to avoid, especially within the geriatric population, as they do not live with you and probably less comfortable with technology. Those with memory problems will be the worst victims of this predicament. The best advice we can recommend to this unsettling situation is to request that your parents alert you anytime one of your children makes a request for money, even if the request is fraudulent. 

If you never entered the competition or sweepstakes that just so happens to claim you as the winner, stay away. This is a clear personal info grab during a moment of excitement where, in the heat of the moment, you let your guard down.

Particularly near busy intersections, in and out of the inner city, some “kind” souls will weave themselves between halted cars at a red light, asking for cash donations. As the validity of these charities and scams is up in the air, instead of making a donation on the spot, request a pamphlet or website to learn more about the organization. If they refuse, they’re most likely hustling you. 

Mentioned several times before, official government-like documents will arrive by mail. Jury duty verification will not take place over the phone so please do not share your personal information.

With the number of third-party sellers on Amazon these days, ordering a counterfeit product is more likely than ever before. As counterfeit sellers, often with the cheapest prices, blend in with legitimate sellers, it’s time you take a look at the finer details. How old are these sellers' accounts? How many positive reviews do they have? Is there any negative feedback? Have other buyers complained of counterfeit products? Does Amazon cover this product with their “A to Z Customer Satisfaction Guarantee?” If the answer is no to most of these questions, it might be best to step away from this particular seller or product. 

If someone was willing to send you a large check for you to cash, asking for only a small amount to be returned, that transaction would be a no-brainer, right? Wrong. Scammers will send you a fake check and request a small portion of that be sent back as soon as its cashed. However, when that check is bounced, AKA declared fake, those funds will be removed from your account. And any amount that was previously sent over to this scammer, will be a total loss. Therefore, don’t fall for the classic check bounce scam.

Technology is amazing and technology is horrible. Caller-ID can be spoofed, giving you a false sense of trust about the caller. If you pick up the call, your number is recorded as “good,” meaning you may be targeted for scams in the future. That said, be careful with some of your lesser-known contacts, especially those with business backgrounds. 

Companies like Apple, Twitter, Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook suffer from scammers sending phishing emails pretending to be them. In these almost authentic-looking emails, scammers will request personal info for fake account verification and general financial gain. If you notice any requests like this, always take a look at the actual email address that sent the message. 9.99999 times out of 10, these “official” email correspondences are completely illegitimate. 

Not long ago, the official Twitter accounts of Elon Musk and Apple were taken over by anonymous miscreants looking to make a quick buck. They promised “All Bitcoin sent to our address below will be sent back to you doubled!” Sadly, it was all a scam. This goes to show that official platforms like Twitter can be hacked and that buying and selling cryptocurrencies, in and out of official trading platforms, is a high-risk business. Do your research beforehand and deem which system, platform, and currencies are for you and your risk tolerance.

The Google Play Store for cellphones with the Android operating system has long been a place for fake antivirus software apps to prosper. The user interface may appear as though it’s scanning or cleaning your phone, but in reality, the app is stealing your passwords and browsing information. Yes, not all antivirus apps are bad apples, but the majority of the antivirus apps are costly - both in money and security.

Young and old, we all love to love. Despicably, online trolls will give lonely individuals the love and attention they desire from a partner, all while staying anonymous online. Scammers will often request gifts and cash if they feel they have lured their desperate partner deep enough. Check up on your relatives and friends that may be lonely. Even if not for this reason, it’ll be a nice thing to do.