How to Address Red Flags and Identify Scams

Scams are so common that everyone should fear them. That doesn’t mean we should be paralyzed by them, though. They’re mostly easy enough to spot, provided you know what to look for. Today, we’re covering these red flags and how you can identify a scam and consider all warning signs to make it out of such a situation unscathed.

Know These Signs

If you’re worried about scams, then you can be on the lookout for these throwaway signs.

The Sender Pretends to Be Someone Trustworthy

Some people and entities demand trust simply by who they are. These individuals often work in government, education, business, financial institutions, and so on. This list could even include family, friends, or coworkers—including you or your boss. Scammers know that they can take advantage of these relationships and use them against you.

The Scam Pushes Exclusive, Low-Effort Money-Making Schemes

Wealth is a serious driver for action, and scammers capitalize on this. If you get messages pushing for you to join a “get rich quick” scheme, chances are it’s a scam. Be careful and avoid buying into these mindsets. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Someone is Begging for Help

Think back to the whole Nigerian Prince schemes from a while back. The target poses as someone in need while promising great rewards in the process. Of course, the rewards never come, and the truth remains the same; you can never trust strangers on the Internet begging for help.

The Message Has Unexpected Links and Attachments

Links and attachments are prime opportunities to spread threats; scammers will leverage them whenever possible. They might seem like links to invoices or login portals. Always verify the sender’s identity through external communication before you click on any attachments or links to avoid accidentally downloading malware.

The Message Wants You to Act Without a Thought

Scammers will use scare tactics to coerce you into taking action—even if you haven’t thought things through. It’s a natural reaction to bad situations, and we tend to make poor decisions when we’re stressed and hyper-aware. It’s important just to take a breath and distance yourself from the scam to ensure you see it for what it is.

Money is Requested, Sometimes in Strange Amounts

Generally speaking, if someone asks you for a payment who shouldn’t be asking you for a payment, it’s probably a scam. Be sure to double-check your own records as well as the official payment portal for the service or invoice. Whatever you do, always vet the appropriate contact before making any payment, and disregard anything related to cryptocurrency, as it’s untraceable and likely a scam in the making.

Long story short: just be careful and practice more than a little bit of scrutiny.

BNMC can help you in this regard. Find out more by calling us at (978) 482-2020.