Hoaxes and Scams

   As I have began to have more of a social media presence, I have learned that people will do anything for money. Whether it’s selling photos and videos, posting everyday, promoting websites, business, ideas, people do it all. Though the internet is a great means for money making, scams and hoaxes tend to come with the territory. 

   I have experienced many scams, especially while scrolling through TikTok, of people selling items that they claim is a “must have” item and when a consumer buys and receives said item, it turns out to be a load of garbage! The scams do not stop there. Emails, texts, and calls flood phones everyday claiming that there was a breach in your banking system, your cousin is stuck in Africa and needs $10,000 to fly home, or even that you won a cash prize and must enter your credit card information to receive it. 

   Yes, there are many hoaxes and scams that people will use to make money. And although older people will fall for it, I have found a sure-fire way to determine the scams from the real thing: if it seems too good to be true, it is. This statement is something I live by when it comes to having an online presence. If a TikToker is selling a skincare product that promises reduced face fat and the elimination of wrinkles within two weeks, it is most likely a partnership scam. If a random number/email I do not recognize pops up telling me that I have to enter credit card information into a website with a million pop-up ads and robot checks to receive a prize I won, it is a scam.

   I was not always able to pick out scams, though. There have been a few products I see on social media that I thought would be good, and bought them. I once bought a lash serum that claimed to grow lashes within three weeks. After using the serum on my lashes for almost two months and seeing no results, I decided to look at the reviews of this product. Turns out that not only was this serum a scam, but after long-term use it can cause eyelashes to fall out! I have also almost fallen for the classic, “You won a gift card!” scam. I got an email from what I assumed was one of my favorite drink places saying that I had won a $50 gift card and to claim it I had to visit a certain website. When I clicked the link to said website, I was immediately bombarded with pop-ups ads. I then knew, sadly, that it was a scam.

   It is important to educate ourselves on different scam types and untrustworthy websites and emails. Many people do fall victim to these money hoaxes, but with proper education people will be more likely to spot out a scam and not become a casualty in the monetary war.