When you buy something online, the last thing you’re worried about is falling victim to a clever scam artist and losing all your money.
As much as we’d like to think scams are part of the past, they’re still common.
Sure, you won’t see some poorly designed pop-up on your computer screen saying you won $10,000. But today’s scammers have evolved to the point you won’t realize what’s happening.
Let’s go through some of the most popular scams in 2023 to help you stay safe.
Are Scams Still Common In 2023?
Scams have existed in one way or another for centuries.
From snake oil salespeople in the 1800s to the fake Tinder scams today, there have always been a few people willing to cheat others to make a quick buck or two.
As technology evolves, so do the tactics scammers use.
They’ll find ways to help them look more relatable to their targets. Once you fall for it, they’ll take your money and move on to their next victim.
You would think most of us would know how to spot a scammer in 2023. Still, they manage to trick millions of people every year.
10% of Americans are at serious risk of falling for scams each year, and 50% of people who engage in a fake site will lose money.
5 Popular Scams In 2023 To Keep An Eye Out For
In today’s world, staying a step ahead of new scams that pop up is essential. Let’s delve into the five most common ones you should keep an eye on in 2023:
1. Zelle Scams
As convenient as Zelle is, scammers love the platform for the same reason. Many try to trick you into sending money by posing as trusted friends or family. They’ll also advertise products and services on sites like Facebook Marketplace that don’t exist.
What’s worse? In most cases, you won’t get your money back because you technically “authorized” the payment to go through.
Always double-check who you send money to before giving the green light, and remember, legit businesses won’t generally ask for payment through Zelle.
2. Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
With student loans being such a crucial topic in recent years, many scammers have been taking advantage of many borrowers’ desperation to profit from them.
They’ll typically pose as official loan forgiveness programs and ask you to pay a fee in exchange for loan forgiveness. Once you pay them, they’re nowhere to be found.
We get you’re trying to pay back loans as soon as possible, but don’t fall for any unrealistic scenario these scammers try to sell you.
Real student loan forgiveness programs will never ask for a fee. Always research available forgiveness programs and organizations before giving anyone money.
3. Job Board Scams
With a tight job market, many applicants are applying everywhere. Scammers know this, and they’ll craft job offers most people can’t ignore.
After you apply, they’ll ask you for personal or credit card info to process everything. A few of them will even take the extra step to schedule a follow-up call with you.
Any “company” that asks for money or your personal info to secure a job is a huge red flag.
Stick to reputable job boards, and immediately report the listing if this situation happens to you.
4. Crypto Scams
With crypto becoming such a hot trend, millions of potential investors worldwide are ready to cash in.
It has also made it easy for scam artists to prey on new investors looking for a coin that will go “to the moon” and make them millionaires overnight.
Many of these crypto “gurus” will message you on social media, promising to make you rich overnight if you send them a few thousand dollars to get you started.
As you probably already know, crypto is a highly volatile market, and predicting which will explode next is anyone’s guess. It probably is if anyone tells you anything too good to be true.
Always do your research first before investing in any crypto project.
5. E-commerce Scams
Who doesn’t love a good online shopping spree? Unfortunately, scammers seem to enjoy it too.
E-commerce fraud is at an all-time high and is projected to cause roughly $48 billion in losses this year.
They’ll set up fake e-commerce stores and offer goods that don’t exist. Once you send your payment, the goods won’t arrive, and the store (or the owner) is nowhere to be found.
To avoid these issues, stick to secure sites like Amazon or another large online retailer.
If you still want to buy products off another site, always use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection if something happens.
The Bottom Line
Whenever you think one scam is done for, another one will pop up to take its place.
Scammers will always exist in one way or another. And while there’s no way to get rid of them totally, there are ways to avoid falling for one of their underhanded tricks.
Always do your research, use secured payments, and follow your gut if you feel like something’s off.
Stay safe out there!
Read More:
