Types of Scams Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which approach is most indicative of a 'love bombing' tactic used in online romance scams?

Sending a generic friend request to many people.
Sharing details about their past relationships.
Contacting you sporadically, only responding to your messages.
Excessively communicating and showering you with attention to build trust quickly. (correct)

What is a key element used by scammers to make investment scams appear legitimate?

Providing information about the company's history.
Allowing small initial withdrawals to establish trust. (correct)
Publicly showcasing their investment records.
Using well known celebrity endorsement.

What is a common characteristic of product and service scams, making them difficult to identify?

They are always advertised on little known obscure websites.
They do not ask you to pay any money until after you have received the product.
They often use prices that seem too good to refuse offered alongside fake reviews. (correct)
They never use the same logos as legitimate businesses.

In threats and extortion scams, what tactic is used besides threats of physical harm or legal action?

Sharing personally embarrassing photos or videos unless a payment is made. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal in job and employment scams?

To steal your money and personal information. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What key characteristic should alert you to an 'unexpected money' scam?

The need to pay a fee or give your financial details to receive the money. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a hallmark of impersonation scams?

Impersonating well-known organisations or even friends and family. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature that is shared by online dating scams, investment scams and product scams?

They rely on building trust or making offers that seem too good to be true. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Online dating scams

Scammers create fake profiles on social media or dating apps to find people looking for love or friendship. They pretend to be someone they are not, even using famous people's faces. They may try to win your trust by showering you with attention and affection, a technique called 'love bombing.' Once they establish a relationship, they may invent a reason to ask for money, claiming to need it for an urgent problem. They may even ask you to set up accounts or send them money.

Investment scams

Scammers create fake data to make your investments appear to grow. They may gain your trust by allowing you to make small withdrawals. However, when you try to withdraw all your funds, they'll come up with reasons not to pay you. This can result in you losing access to your entire investment.

Product and service scams

Scammers create fake websites to sell products or services at unrealistic prices. They may steal logos, fake reviews, use stolen ABNs, and create bogus websites to lure you in. They make offers too good to be true, tempting you to spend money.

Threats and extortion scams

Scammers threaten you with serious consequences, like arrest, deportation, or even physical harm if you don't pay them. They may pretend to be from an organization and demand payment for a fake problem. They can also blackmail you, threatening to release your sensitive information unless you pay up.

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Jobs and employment scams

Scammers pretend to be hiring on behalf of well-known companies or recruitment agencies. Their goal is to collect your money and identity details. They may ask you to complete tasks for a fee. They might offer a job opportunity that seems very good but requires personal information.

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Unexpected money scams

Scammers try to convince you that you have won a prize or that you are owed money you didn't expect. They'll ask you to pay a fee or provide your financial details to claim your supposed winnings. However, if you pay, you won't receive any 'prize', and you may lose your money.

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Impersonation scams

Scammers impersonate people you already know, like friends or family. They may also pretend to be from an organization like the police, government, banks, or well-known companies. Their goal is to gain your trust and get your money or personal information.

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Study Notes

Types of Scams

Online dating and romance scams: Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps, often impersonating famous people, to gain trust. They might use "love bombing" to make you feel special, then ask for money for fake emergencies.
Investment scams: Scammers manipulate investment data to make it appear profitable. They might allow small withdrawals but block larger ones, ultimately preventing access to your invested funds.
Product and service scams: Fake websites (or retailer site profiles), exaggerated product deals, phony reviews, and stolen logos and business details are deployed.
Threats and extortion scams: Scammers impersonate authorities to demand money, threatening arrest or violence. They may also use blackmail by threatening to share private images.
Jobs and employment scams: Scammers posing as reputable companies or recruitment agencies target job seekers to steal money and identity information.
Unexpected money scams: Scammers claim you're due money or winnings, demanding fees or financial details before giving you access to these fictitious funds. There is no free money in such cases.
Impersonation scams: Scammers pretend to be legitimate organizations like police, banks, or governments, or even friends or family.

Common Signs of a Scam

Amazing opportunities: Opportunities to make or save a large amount of money quickly.
Unfamiliar needs help: Someone you don't know asks for financial aid.
Links and attachments: Emails or messages containing suspicious links or attachments that could be malicious.
Pressure to act fast: Pressure exerted to act swiftly without proper consideration.
Unusual payment requests: Requests to pay in unusual or specific methods, or through unusual channels.
New account creation: Demands to create new accounts or PayIDs.

How Scammers Reach You

Email scams
Text/SMS scams
Phone scams
Social media scams
Website scams
In-person scams

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Description

This quiz covers various types of scams including online dating, investment fraud, product scams, and job-related scams. Learn to identify and protect yourself from these deceptive tactics. Equip yourself with the knowledge to spot different scam techniques.