M31 Author

Scams are part of lives these days. No matter where we look, potential threats are there. Scammers come in all shapes and sizes. Comes from unexpected sources. An email, a text, phone calls and even job sites. Not to mention social media can be a huge culprit.

I have been a victim of frauds. I believe I could have avoided most of them. If I had paid more attention and followed my instincts, I might have prevented many problems.

Scammers exploit our carelessness and vulnerabilities, taking advantage of us in times of need. They zero in on trusting nature. Some could be your friends and family members. I myself was scammed by someone I though was my friend..

Scammers and victims

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From all the episodes from true crime shows, various documentaries one of many that stuck with me is Martin Shkreli. This scum increased the price of a medication that helped millions of people. Now from business standpoint he might not have done anything illegal but from humanity stance he is the devil.

Another one really stuck with me is Elizabeth Holmes. This woman promised a groundbreaking revolution in medical science. The length she went to deliver what she had promised to the public and the investor, it’s actually horrifying.

The greed of wanting more no matter what it does to others is criminal. Personally I feel most of us want more out of life but I want to earn it. As the New England Patriots coach says there’s no shortcut to greatness. Well same principle for success, at least I am naive enough to believe that.

Well I am sure all of you have seen these individuals and their con on the news, social media etc. What bothers me the most is their absence of remorse and lack of compassion. It’s not just them. There are so many high profile scammers. These con artists simply deny or choose not to accept any responsibility.

Pain of the victimization

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A few years ago, I looked for a new job and thought I found a good opportunity with a better salary and title. I quit my job, but then I found out the offer was a scam. I ended up cashing fraudulent checks worth over $5,000, which bounced. I felt embarrassed and hopeless. I regretted leaving my job and reported the scam, but nothing came of it.

I went through a tough time. Yet, it is nothing compared to what many have faced with their life savings, health, business, and more.

Do your research

There might not be a foolproof approach to eliminate all scams. However, being proactive could help our odds. Scammers have a rather systematic way to target their victims, so we should be systematic to counter it. “Ask questions”, yes working in financial sector I learned individuals who ask many questions make more informative decision.

If your research leaves you with more questions than answers, well that might be a red flag.

Don’t feel embarrassed

Remember, assuming someone is not a scammer is not a flaw. It only means you are a decent and trusting individual. If you were taken advantage of, it’s the scammer who found a way to use decency against you. If and when you realize you have been a victim of a scam inform the authorities. Talk to friends and family you trust to be reliable source of advice. You might come across someone who has been through the same situation, and you could ask for their insight.

More and more we rely upon technology and internet. Which gives bad actors with nefarious objective target a wider range of victims. So, scam and fraud are far more common than we might think. Especially around the holidays scammers are on high gear. So use caution. No matter what under no circumstances divulge any personal or sensitive information without confirming who you are speaking with.

Hey, with everything going on lately, it’s super important to keep an eye out for any online scams or fraud trying to take advantage of the situation.