Scams have become increasingly sophisticated over the years, and 2022 is no exception. Fraudsters are finding new and creative ways to target unsuspecting victims, taking advantage of the pandemic and other current events to scam people out of their money and personal information. In order to protect yourself, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest scam trends.
Smishing
One of the biggest scam trends of 2022 is what’s known as “smishing.” This type of fraud involves sending messages via text or social media that appear to come from a legitimate source. The messages often contain a link that directs the recipient to a website where they are asked to provide personal information and/or financial information. The scammers then use this information to commit identity theft or access bank accounts.
Deep Fake Scams
Another trend is the increasing use of “deepfake'' technology. Deepfakes are videos and images that have been manipulated to make it appear as if someone else is saying or doing something that they’re not actually doing. Fraudsters use deepfakes to create videos of people (often celebrities) endorsing products or services that they’ve never actually endorsed. They then use these videos to entice people to buy products or services that are actually scams.
Tech Support Scams
Finally, tech support scams are still going strong. In these scams, fraudsters call victims claiming to be from a legitimate tech support company. They then attempt to convince the victim to give them access to their computer or provide them with credit card information.
General best practices to avoid scams These are just a few of the top scam trends of 2022. It’s important to remain aware of the latest scams to protect yourself and your family. If you receive a suspicious text, email, or call, be sure to do your research before providing any personal information. Additionally, always be sure to use unique passwords on all of your accounts, and use two-factor authentication whenever possible. By following these steps, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.