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Scams: True Stories from the Edge

Ernest Hemingway

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Scams are a fact of life. They're everywhere, from the grocery store to the internet. And they're getting more sophisticated all the time.

But don't worry, you're not alone. There are people who can help you avoid scams and get your money back if you've been scammed.

Scams! (True Stories from the Edge)

by Andreas Schroeder

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	753 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	160 pages

Here are some true stories from the edge of the scam world:

The Grandparent Scam

This scam targets elderly people, especially those who are lonely or isolated. The scammer calls the victim and pretends to be a grandchild who is in trouble and needs money.

The victim is often so relieved to hear from their grandchild that they don't think to question the request for money. They send the money, and then the scammer disappears.

Here are some tips to avoid the grandparent scam:

Never send money to someone you don't know.
Be suspicious of any calls from someone who claims to be a relative or friend in need.
If you're not sure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the person back at a number you know is theirs.

The Tech Support Scam

This scam targets people who use computers. The scammer calls the victim and pretends to be from a tech support company.

The scammer tells the victim that their computer has a virus or other problem, and that they need to pay to fix it. The victim agrees, and the scammer gives them a credit card number to call.

The victim calls the number and gives the scammer their credit card information. The scammer then charges the victim's credit card for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Here are some tips to avoid the tech support scam:

Never give your credit card information to someone you don't know.
Be suspicious of any calls from someone who claims to be from a tech support company.
If you're not sure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the company back at a number you know is theirs.

The IRS Scam

This scam targets people who owe taxes. The scammer calls the victim and pretends to be from the IRS.

The scammer tells the victim that they owe back taxes, and that they need to pay immediately or they will be arrested.

The victim is often so scared that they don't think to question the request for money. They send the money, and then the scammer disappears.

Here are some tips to avoid the IRS scam:

Never give your credit card information or Social Security number to someone you don't know.
Be suspicious of any calls from someone who claims to be from the IRS.
If you're not sure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the IRS back at a number you know is theirs.

The Lottery Scam

This scam targets people who dream of winning the lottery.

The scammer sends the victim a letter or email that says they have won a prize. The victim is often so excited that they don't think to question the request for money.

The victim sends the money, and then the scammer disappears.

Here are some tips to avoid the lottery scam:

Never send money to someone you don't know.
Be suspicious of any letters or emails that say you have won a prize.
If you're not sure whether a letter or email is legitimate, contact the lottery commission directly.

The Romance Scam

This scam targets people who are looking for love.

The scammer creates a fake online profile and pretends to be someone they're not.

The scammer starts chatting with the victim, and they quickly build a relationship online.

The scammer tells the victim that they're in love with them, and that they want to be with them forever.

The victim is often so flattered and excited that they don't think to question the relationship.

The scammer then starts asking the victim for money. They may say they need money for a medical emergency, or for a plane ticket to come visit the victim.

The victim sends the money, and then the scammer disappears.

Here are some tips to avoid the romance scam:

Never send money to someone you've never met in person.
Be suspicious of any online relationships that seem too good to be true.
If you're not sure whether a relationship is legitimate, talk to a friend or family member about it.