Scams are everywhere and the most scary part is, they are coming in different forms and increasing in their tactics to win more victims. The same scam I fell for years ago, I am immune to that kind but I've never had to face the same situation again except only once after the first and I remember just how well guarded I was to it.
People find it easy to say "Don't fall for scams", "Be alert and you won't be scammed" until they find themselves in a scam situation and can't tell if it is even one. I'd say, becoming free from being scammed isn't only about staying at alert because we don't know what new tactics they have especially, for them to attack our emotions.
I have been scammed of my money once many years ago and then I almost got scammed very recently but only that they come with a poor tactic because it was something I was aware of.
The first scam story was when I was home and hoping to make quick money, I asked for the scam because I thought I could double my money that easily. The story doesn't even have to be told in detailed, I sent the only money I had quickly hoping to get a double but instead, I got banned from the account I sent the money to.
My sister couldn't stop laughing at me because she thought it sounded too good to be true before I sent the money, I thought so too but the scammed knew just how to trigger my emotions to give in and send my money. Since that experience, I became more careful and I've been able to avoid a few more scam attempts on me.
Then the recent one that happened didn't succeed at all because it came in a form I was already aware of, having a known number (my aunt's number) send a message to me and asking to send a huge amount (over $80) to her that she's struggling with her bank to pay somewhere. The first message was off instantly.
I called my aunt immediately and she screamed saying her WhatsApp account had been hacked and a lot of other people who noticed have called her to confirm if she really needed the help. It made me remember a scene I witnessed, where a man called his friend after a message asking for $240 transfer, it was a scam and that taught me.
There's nothing much I can do to stay safe online from scammers but by just staying alert and learning about whatever tactics they might come with. Another thing I do to help myself is being contented with what I have and make more research before I risk any amount of my money.
Image used is mine.