Scammer Calls

If scams didn’t work, then they would go away. The problem with liars is that they are a creative bunch. They also know how to leverage technology, including artificial intelligence to create images and information that can create real hardship and economic loss.

Do you grow weary of calls that are really marketing and/or scam attempts? What is a scam? A scam is dishonesty clothed in such a way that you will give up money, personal information, or access to an account. The scammer is not always just a person. It can be a group. Fake text messages, email messages and phone calls abound.

Email Scams

Every morning my email SPAM folder is full of things that sound ominous. I am working on a seminar for the women in our church family. I plan to teach some basics about watching out for wolves this coming February. Some of the images I will use to educate the participants include the following. If you click on each image you can see the creative liar’s attempts to get me to take action. The first image shows how to reveal the liar’s true email address. For example, “Destiny Mastercard” is really “github_noreply@hy.lawriver.com

Never click on links in email messages. It is best to go directly to the website of the bank, investment firm, health care provider or any other business you use.

Sadly, widows are often the target, and many widows are not aware when there is a bullseye on their back. At Memorial Baptist Church, we want to protect the sheep from wolves. That is why I am working on the seminar.

Note in the above examples that it is easy to see the real identity of the scammer.

Saving Advice “Your Phone Rings” Tips

The best things you can do is be skeptical and vigilant. Don’t assume anything. Don’t trust without verification.

“Your phone rings, and the number looks familiar enough that you decide to answer. You say hello, wait for a response, and hear absolutely nothing. A few seconds later, the call disconnects, leaving you wondering whether someone was listening or whether you’ve just encountered another phone scam.” The Saving Advice article recommends the following:

1. Hang Up Instead of Waiting for Someone to Speak

2. Never Call Back an Unfamiliar Number Just Because It Hung Up

3. Block Suspicious Calls and Turn On Spam Protection

4. Report Repeated Suspicious Calls to the Appropriate Agency

5. Verify Anyone Who Later Claims to Represent Your Bank

Where Do Scammers Live?

Anywhere and everywhere. However, the countries most associated with scams include Nigeria, China, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. These nations are often linked to various types of fraud, including internet scams and organized crime operations.

Proverbs 28:6 “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” The scammers might be getting rich at your expense, but God takes a very dim view of liars and thieves. Their payback will not be one they anticipate.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.