Q&A on Scams: Tips and Tricks to Avoid Them

Summary

Ashton Bingha and Art Kuli discuss various aspects of scams in this Q&A article. They explain how scammers get phone numbers, target specific people, and work on commission. They also share how scammers use WhatsApp and ways to protect loved ones from scams. Additionally, they discuss various types of scams, including IRS scams, romance scams, and apartment scams on Craigslist. Finally, they discuss general tips and tricks to avoid falling victim to scams.

Table of Contents

• How did Ashton and Art find the scammer on Craigslist?
• What did Ashton and Art do to disrupt scam call center operations?
• How is Western Union associated with scams?
• How can victims protect themselves from IRS scam calls?
• Why do catfish scammers rarely go to jail?
• Why do scammers become rude when caught?
• How has the pandemic increased the number of scams?
• Why do romance scammers often pose as American military personnel?
• Why did the Nigerian Prince scam work so well?
• What are some tips and tricks to avoid falling victim to scams?

Introduction

As technology continues to advance, scammers are finding new and creative ways to scam people out of their money. In this Q&A article, we have the opportunity to hear from Ashton Bingha and Art Kuli, who have encountered various types of scams themselves. They share their insights into how scammers operate, and offer tips and tricks to avoid falling victim to these scams.

How did Ashton and Art find the scammer on Craigslist?

Ashton and Art were searching for a larger apartment to rent and encountered a rental scam on Craigslist. They decided to have a little fun with the scammer and pretended to be astronauts, telling the scammer that they would be breeding aliens in the basement of the apartment they were interested in. To their surprise, the scammer agreed to the lease agreement and asked for their money. This experience taught them to be even more careful when searching for apartments online and to ensure that they only communicate directly with landlords and verified property managers.

What did Ashton and Art do to disrupt scam call center operations?

Ashton and Art collaborated with Mark Rober and Jim Brownin, where they went to India to smuggle glitter bombs into scam call centers to disrupt their operations. The glitter bomb would go off when the scammers attempted to open a package, leaving them covered in glitter. They were almost recognized by the scammers, but were able to complete the operation successfully. This serves as a warning to scammers that people are fighting back against them and will do whatever it takes to expose their fraudulent operations.

How is Western Union associated with scams?

Western Union is not a scam, but it is associated with scams because scammers use it as a way to accept money from victims, especially those located overseas. Scammers often request payments through Western Union, as it allows them to receive money quickly and with minimal ID verification requirements.

How can victims protect themselves from IRS scam calls?

Victims of IRS scam calls cannot do much to stop the calls, but they can block and report the numbers. Additionally, they can visit FTC.gov and block unknown numbers from their phones. There are also apps like RoboKille, which not only blocks ScamLikely calls but also answers them with pre-recorded messages.

Why do catfish scammers rarely go to jail?

Catfish scammers pretend to be someone else on dating websites and convince their victims to send them money for various reasons. Unfortunately, they rarely go to jail because their identity is usually hard to trace. Additionally, victims often feel ashamed and embarrassed, so they do not report the crime.

Why do scammers become rude when caught?

When scammers are caught, they often become rude because they do not want to lose their operation and income. They know that when their operations are exposed, they lose the trust of their targets, which could lead to their eventual downfall.

How has the pandemic increased the number of scams?

The pandemic has caused an increase in scams as scammers take advantage of people’s vulnerability and instability during this time. As more people are working from home, scammers have increased their phishing activities and are using the pandemic as a pretext for their scams.

Why do romance scammers often pose as American military personnel?

Romance scammers often pose as American military personnel because it allows them to play the excuse of traveling often and being away. Additionally, they can use the image of a brave and heroic military person to attract their targets.

Why did the Nigerian Prince scam work so well?

The Nigerian Prince scam worked well because it preyed on people’s desire for wealth and power. It also started with an email, which made it easy for the scammers to contact their targets and convince them of the legitimacy of their request.

What are some tips and tricks to avoid falling victim to scams?

The best way to avoid falling victim to scams is to be aware of the tactics and tricks that scammers use. Some tips and tricks to avoid scams include being cautious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages, and emails, never giving personal information to a stranger, and verifying the legitimacy of a request with an outside source. Additionally, it is essential to stay informed and educated about the different types of scams that exist and to create strong and unique passwords for all online accounts.

Conclusion

Scams are a prevalent issue in our society, and we must be vigilant and informed to avoid falling victim to them. By following the tips and tricks discussed in this Q&A article, we can stay ahead of scammers and protect ourselves and our loved ones from being scammed. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, so always trust your instincts and take the necessary precautions.