8 Scams to Look Out for in 2024

New year, new scams? One thing about scammers, security experts say, is that they are always reinventing themselves. As our technology continues to evolve, scammers see these advancements as new lands to conquer and more opportunities to exploit their targets. That’s why it is important to stay one step ahead and look out for these scams in 2024. 

Voiceprint Scams: A New Frontier in Phishing

With recent rapid technological advancements in AI, we witnessed a surge in voiceprint scams. These deceptions involve scammers capturing a recording of your voice, either via phone calls or social media pages, and using a software program to generate an imitation version to impersonate you. Scammers used this in various ways, from accessing a victim’s bank information to calling a victim’s loved ones pretending to be held for ransom. 

Defense Strategy: Until the laws catch up with AI impersonation technology, it is best to be extra cautious when sharing your voice online. 

• Switch your social media pages to private so fewer people have access to your content. 
• Refrain from answering unknown phone numbers, they could be recorders. 

Alternatively, if you receive a phone call from an unknown number sounding like a loved one who is in trouble, don’t panic. Scammers will use urgency tactics to force you into quick decisions. 

• Try calling their actual number to confirm their whereabouts. 
• In the future, it may be helpful to establish a verbal password to verify each other’s identity. 

Physical Gift Card Scams: Coming Up Empty

Recently, many consumers have reported receiving physical gift cards that show up with $0, even if they never used them. Unfortunately, gift cards bought from stores can be tampered with either through fake barcodes or PIN spoofing. 

Fake Barcode: Scammers apply a fake barcode to the back of a gift card so that when you activate the card, the money is sent to the scammer’s gift card instead of yours.

PIN Spoofing: Scammers scratch off the shiny material revealing the card’s PIN and then cover it with a similar silver sticker so that they steal the balance when you activate the card. 

Defense Strategy: Be mindful when you purchase or receive a gift card. 

• Inspect the Card: Search for any barcode stickers, areas that could have been scratched off, or other signs of tampering.
• Check the Balance: If you purchase the card, ask the cashier to confirm the balance and keep the receipt. If you have received the card as a gift, visit the retailer to ask them to check the balance. 
• Report Issues: If you try to use your card with no funds on it, ensure you have your receipt to show them your transaction history to prove your case. 

Roblox Scams: Preying on Digital Dreams

Roblox, a beloved game platform for creativity and social interaction, has become a target for scams. While it is free to play, there are some opportunities to use “Robux” to make in-game purchases, and there are platforms and chat rooms specifically for the Roblox resale market. This year, cunning fraudsters have used fake promotional events and in-game messages to steal login credentials and personal information from the game’s young fanbase. Common tactics include:

Code Copy: When scammers tell users they’ll give them code to copy and paste to give the user free things in the game, and it actually gives the scammer access to the user’s account so they can steal whatever money is in there. 

Tricky Trades: Scammers will propose two trades, one good for them and one good for the victim. Then the scammer builds the interaction so that the trade that benefits the victim fails, and the trade that benefits them succeeds, so they just take everything of value out of their account.

Defense Strategy: The lesson here is one of skepticism; encourage a healthy dose of doubt within younger users. 

• Teach them to verify the legitimacy of messages from ‘official’ channels and practices of good cyber hygiene to safeguard their digital adventures.
• Don’t talk to strangers (an oldie but a goodie)

UPS Package Scam: Urgent Package, Urgent Problem

It seems like we’re always waiting for a package. Scammers know this and use fake ‘delivery failure’ notifications — replete with mock tracking numbers — to harvest personal data. T hey send millions of these messages just hoping for a bite. Don’t bite!

Defense Strategy: Vigilance and verification are your best shields. 

• Don’t click the link unless it starts with a legitimate source i.e. “https://www.ups.com,” “https://billing.ups.com,” “https://go.ups.com” or “http:/links4.upsemail.com”.
• Check the grammar, spelling, and details. UPS does not use generic greetings such as Sir or Madame. 
• Always cross-check tracking numbers on the official UPS site, and remember that UPS will never ask for your Social Security or credit card information without very clear, confirmed reasons.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Delete the message and block the number 

IRS Tax Scams: Season of Scams

IRS scams occur when scammers pose as agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and trick or pressure victims into giving up money or personal information. Every year, the IRS reports the “Dirty Dozen,” which is a list of the “worst of the worst” tax scams compiled from the previous year. 

Many of these tax scams include threats of fines or even jail time, but let’s make one thing clear: if you are wanted by the IRS, they are not going to ask you for your SSN, gift card payments, or even contact you unless you contact them first. They won’t even threaten you with criminal prosecution. Trust us, the IRS doesn’t mess around. 

Defense Strategy: If a tax scammer got to you, there are a few ways you can stop them in their tracks. 

• Change your passwords and secure your online accounts with two-factor authentication
• Place a credit freeze on your credit reports to prevent scammers from taking out loans or filing for financial accounts in your name
• Ask for official Federal Identity Card information if you are unsure about someone contacting you from the IRS

Check Cooking Scam: The Tech Twist

Scammers have upped their game on stealing checks. In previous years, fraudsters would steal paper checks and wash them with chemicals to erase the amount and payee but keep the signature so they could endorse a check for a new name and amount. In check cooking, thieves can alter digital pictures of stolen checks and deposit them using a bank’s mobile app. 

Defense Strategy: If you choose to write paper checks, you need to make it difficult for scammers to get a hold of the physical copy. 

• Avoid putting checks in a mailbox
• Drop checks off directly at the post office
• Monitor your checking account to ensure the legitimacy of any transactions

Bank Impersonation Scam: Financial Fraud Fashion

Financial phishing retains its popularity, with new dressings every year. Fraudsters now create clones of bank websites and use manipulative texts or emails to convince victims of account compromises, directing them to these decoys. 

Defense Strategy: Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your money. The bank is certainly not immune to scammer tactics. 

• Bookmark your bank’s actual website and login page
• Hover over links found in suspicious texts or emails from your bank to scrutinize web addresses for authenticity 
• Never respond to unsolicited communications regarding your banking details

Paris Olympics Scams: Phishing on the World’s Stage

Major events have always been fertile grounds for scams, and this year’s Paris Olympics are no exception. Phishers take advantage of the excitement and momentum, crafting spurious tickets and offers to siphon personal and payment details from unsuspecting enthusiasts. Even further, some fraudsters impersonate your friends, claiming to be in an emergency at these events. They always think of something. 

Defense Strategy: Although you want to enjoy the events, don’t let your guard down. 

• Buy tickets and merchandise from trusted sources, paying attention to URL sites
• Secure your transactions through encrypted connections and payment methods
• If a friend is in an emergency asking for a fast money transfer, call the friend before you hit send. 

Conclusion: Scammers Gonna Scam

Vigilance is a daily duty, not a seasonal concern. The best defense against scams combines awareness, skepticism, and an ever-evolving understanding of the digital threats landscape. By staying informed, you protect yourself and your online community. With this understanding, you can navigate the internet’s deep waters with wisdom and confidence. Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep safe this year!