We’ve all had them – the uninvited messages, randomly warning us about something that needs our immediate attention. Social media attracts many, but I also have found that downloading certain apps increases the number of email or phone scam messages I receive.
I’ve engaged with a few and noticed that there is a pattern to their approaches. They will ask general questions, phishing, I suppose for personal information. Then they ask for advice about a personal problem – drawing you into their confidence. Then they want to talk offline.
NO WAY!
A podcast that I recently came across explains much of what is happening. Scam Factory tells the story of people lured into the industry through promises of lucrative employment and forced to join the scam game. A new form of Human Trafficking.
Produced by Wondery, this podcast follows the story of a family swept up in the business of scamming – as forced labourers – and their eventual escape. It is suspenseful, mind boggling, and informative.
Search for Scam Factory wherever you get your podcasts and let me know what you think.
In the meantime, if you don’t recognize the sender, don’t respond.
One Woman's Quest II 
It’s very worrisome, VJ. It seems the scammers are everywhere. Thank you for the link.
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Welcome Eugi
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We have another scam here. Scamsters make a whatsapp call pretending to be either the police or from enforcement directorate and tell that the person’s social security number was used for drug trafficking or some fraudulent practices. They tell them they are under digital arrest. Ask them to tranfer huge sums to be freed. The worst part is so many people have fallen for these cyber criminals.
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That’s terrible.
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I am overly cautious. When I received a notice that my credit card was compromised, I thought it was a scam, so I ignored it. Then I got a call that still seemed odd, so I phoned the bank and sure enough it was them trying to inform me. Always best when not sure, to go directly to the source. Thanks for the link to the Scam Factory.
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Always go to the source. They’ve got to my husband three times now. They are good
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There is no regulation, no prosecution. It just multiplies day by day. (K)
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Exactly. It’s terrible. The report said there are several compounds where scammers are kept and forced to work 14 hours a day with quotas.
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Yes, I read about one of them awhile ago. So much evil in this world.
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I’m at the point where I never answer my phone if I don’t know the number. I also don’t answer texts if I don’t know the number. In both cases, I block the number. I also block senders of unsolicited DMs from strangers on social media. It’s a sad state of affairs to be so distrustful, but that’s the world we live in.
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I’m the same. What else can we do?
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No other viable alternative.
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This is alarming
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It really is.
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