Too Smart To Fall for Scams? Think Again
Don’t get Hooked!
We’ve all received that email about the Nigerian Prince that needs to get money out of his country and is willing to give you a cut if you help him out, right?
Every time I see one of these emails I ask myself, “Why are they wasting their time? Does anybody ever fall for these scams?” The answer is yes, a lot of people fall for scams.
In 2013, victims lost $12.7 Billion to these scams, which are also called advanced fee fraud. Wait, let’s rewind because I don’t think you read that right. In 2013 alone – one year – these scam artists got away with Twelve point Seven Billion Dollars – yes that was a B for Billion. That is more money than most large corporations make in a year.
Who Are These Victims?
I always thought that the people who fall for these scams are perhaps uneducated, low income, desperate families. But apparently I was just being a judgmental jerk because most of the people who fall for scams are highly educated, professional folks.