Are You Being Scammed?
What makes this question harder to answer is the fact that mock websites exist. Although there are differences between real and mock sites, these differences are so minute that they can be VERY hard to detect. Hackers mine for information that makes it easier to set up a scam catered to your current situation. An example of this is receiving a notice via text message regarding a package you are expecting from USPS. Scams are always changing and evolving as we catch on.
Examples of Scams
Scams come in MANY forms. You’ve heard a lot about pyramid schemes and cash app scams. Other examples of scams include fake marketplace and job listings, fake sugar daddies, mock websites, fake shipping updates and MORE. Disclaimer: This is not a full list of every scam that exists. People adapt, become creative and find clever ways around what you think you know. Do not depend on blogs and lists alone, as you’ll need your intuition and vigilance to help you spot whether you’re being scammed or not. Think of this as a recipe or a guideline that you can add to at any time.
FAKE Marketplace & Job Listings
You may have seen these types of scams without realizing you have. These scams come in the form of listings on social media, where a job position is offered with exceptional pay, or a picture of puppies is displayed, saying “we still have some left and they need a good home.” You may also run into funding posts that ask for money due to tragedy. While most job and marketplace forums have caught on and flagged these scammers, some still slip through the cracks or find other ways around their problem.
Job Postings
These scams are very convincing, but not that hard to detect. The job will usually be for a desirable position that offers a very enticing payrate. Believe your gut; It IS too good to be true. These scammers have even claimed to be from Amazon and Walmart. However, every time I click on their links, it sends me to a URL that is not direct (Example: Instead of the link bringing me to amazon.com, it would bring me to “tinyurl. [random lettering and numbering].com”).
Another way to detect whether a job posting is a scam or not, is by it simply being on social media. YES, with smaller and newer businesses, you’ll expect to see them utilizing social media for outreach. With established companies, they have NO NEED to make a social media post, because they have PLENTY of applications to choose from, between job boards and their direct application system.
While job postings on social media should be taken with caution, some are still legit. You will see these listings in dedicated groups (Example: “Pinellas County Jobs”). Fake job postings will usually appear in more generalized groups, as they are usually spotted and deleted from job boards and dedicated (monitored) groups.
Fake “For Sale” & “Go Fund Me” Listings
You may have seen it before; People post pictures of kittens or puppies, claiming to have some for sale. You may also see a “go fund me” link with a picture of a child or animal, claiming tragedy. A lot of the time, these posts are dressed up with recycled photos and captions! Where there’s a market, there’s a scam for that market.
These scams are like fake job postings; You won’t see them posted in dedicated and monitored boards and groups as much, but rather in general places. However, unlike fake job listings, these marketplace and funding posts may seem more realistic! Although I use animals as an example, ANY item could be listed in the post.
The captions and photos aren’t always fake. A lot of scammers will copy and paste captions from real sellers or families in need. It is also very easy to save a photo (or screenshot and crop a photo) to your device and reuse it. These scammers will steal an entire post and make it theirs.
If you want to be sure that you are buying from or donating to a legit source, do your research! reverse google search the images used in the post. Visit marketplace forums and look out for identical listings. Ask the individual or seller for more details, photos, and live videos. An honest person in need, or wanting to make a sale, will have no problem proving their validity.
FAKE Shipping Notifications
Every package carrier has a different way of doing and running their business. Some have strict methods of communication, while others may let you opt to receive text messages and phone calls from the carrier company. MAKE NOTE OF THIS: No mail and package carrier (shipping company) will send calls or texts without you consenting to receiving said calls and text messages.
Policies & Procedures – Look Them UP!
No matter who is shipping your package, their website will have a section that lists numbers, company email addresses, and an entire policy on how they will notify you, if needed. Most shipping companies have included blogs on how to detect a scam. Whether you are receiving from UPS, USPS, FEDEX, or another carrier, they will have a clear policy on how communication is handled.
REMEMBER: you should ALWAYS contact the package carrier and ask if they have sent out any emails or text messages before clicking any links. I can already tell you the answer you’ll receive; no, they didn’t text you unless you opted for text message updates. USPS clearly states, via their website, that they DO NOT send text messages regarding your package UNLESS you initiate this service.
USPS Scam Example
(this is my personal experience and screenshots)
If you are expecting a package that is unable to be delivered, USPS will not notify you via phone or email, unless you contact them first and request such actions. The previous photos display SCAM texts from people trying to steal your personal information. Before Google catches on and flags them (third photo, with dangerous site warning), these mock sites look almost completely identical to real USPS webpages.
IN THE FIRST EXAMPLE ABOVE, you will see that this supposed “USPS’ company sent the same message to FIVE recipients. Even if USPS were to start texting these updates, it would NOT be in the form of a group text. This is a SCAM. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, here is a video of me expanding to expose the sender and other recipients. I showed where it says how many others received the group text, but respectfully covered their phone numbers.
Play / Pause in the lower left Corner of video screen.
Shipping Companies Don’t ask for Bank or Credit Card Verification
The above photos and video are of my own experience with a scammer. When I first visited the URL, there wasn’t a safety warning (google hadn’t flagged them yet). The page looked identical to the USPS website. There was also a form explaining that I would need to provide my card information and allow them to withdraw $0.39 cents from my account for “VERIFICATION” purposes.
I immediately clicked out of the page and visited the USPS website. I am VERY glad I did, as I was able to learn that USPS DOES NOT require any type of bank nor credit card verification. Shortly after discovering this information, I tried to go back to the mock website. I wanted to take a screenshot of the fake webpage, but I was stopped with a big red warning (google finally caught on and flagged them).
Fake Sugar Daddies?
Yes, you read that correctly. Have you ever received a message via Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Tumblr, TikTok and other social media platforms, asking you to be a virtual sugar baby? If you’re a woman who likes to post photos and stream videos, you have probably received these DMs, whether you’ve caught them or not.
Nobody is paying hundreds-thousands per week for photos…
Don’t fall victim to this trap! When you are down on your luck, these scams are tempting and hard to say no to. Think clearly about what is being offered. A real sugar daddy has strict requirements for his sugar baby, including physical standards. Think of a sugar baby as a trophy or arm candy.
You are not going to receive a hefty amount of money per week for a few photos and exchange of conversation. If you want a weekly allowance for something like this, you are better off working in the adult industry. This offer IS a scam and TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. As a part-time adult entertainer, trust me, these men don’t want photos. and light conversation.
HOW They Scam You, as a “Sugar Baby”
They will scam you through a few different methods. One way is by asking for your bank information. They claim to need it to send funds your way. This will be followed by them keeping your information and cutting off all contact with you.
Another way they’ll scam you is by sending money through a cash app from a stolen card. They will turn around and request a refund of the money they sent to you. The scammer will receive their refund and you will be left with nothing. ON TOP OF THAT, the person this money was stolen from will report their loss. Their loss will be recovered from YOUR bank account, leaving you NEGATIVE that amount.
One more way that they could scam you is by asking you to cash a check they have sent you, while promising to send some of the money back. They will usually present this promise in the form of a contract that seems legit. The checks you are cashing are fraudulent. This activity will land you in prison and in debt.
Mock Websites
Mock websites may appear as legit and identical to actual websites, but there will be differences. Once of the main differences will be in the website domain (the URL / web address). While they may be able to replicate the appearance, no two domains can be the same (there is only one amazon.com, and only one womensocial.online). Check for the small differences. THEY WILL BE THERE. Google is usually fantastic at flagging these sites in a timely manner.
In Conclusion
Scams are ever changing, ever evolving, and seemingly here to stay. Where there is a market, there will be a scam. You need to know what to look for and become familiar with the policies of actual companies. With image saving, screen recording, and screen shot capabilities, you can’t even believe what you see anymore. If it has to do with money or your card information, ALWAYS QUESTION IT. If you run into a mock website, report it! Although these sites are flagged down quite quickly, be a part of the solution.
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