You 100% have been scammed. What now?
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
The Difference between Active and Passive Scamming/Fraud
ACTIVE SCAMMING:
“The Prince of Dubai Needs Your Help… Just Send Him Money!”
"Grandpa, I just got in a car accident. Can you send me money?"
AN EMAIL FROM SOMEONE YOU TRUST "Can you get a gift card to donate to a family in need/help the church?"
If I had a dollar for every Prince who wants to marry me...actually...I would probably do it. hahaha. If you’ve ever gotten an email or call claiming a rich foreign prince needs your help moving millions—and all you have to do is send some money first, or the state who says you owe taxes...but don't worry...you can pay over the phone. (How Convenient!)—Congratulations: you’ve met a scam. And unfortunately, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Scammers are like overzealous side hustlers—they’re persistent, smooth-talking, and somehow always popping up when you least expect them. Some hit hard and fast, THESE ARE ACTIVE SCAMS. We mostly know how to spot them. However, Passive Scams sneak in quietly, stealing your info without you even realizing it. This is why you need to read this article.
Active Scams: Loud, Obvious, and Desperate for Your Cash
These scams are bold and in-your-face. Every company has a blog or a program that helps you know what to WATCH OUT FOR:
The “Prince of Dubai” Scam: A “royal” asks for help moving millions. You send money. Surprise: your cash disappears, and the prince is nowhere to be found.
Grandkids in Trouble: A panicked call from your “grandchild” who needs immediate money. Reality check: real grandkids call for advice, not a wire transfer.
Clickbait & Pop-Ups: Emails promising prizes or urgent updates often hide malware or phishing traps. Resist the urge to click!
Pay-Over-the-Phone Tricks: Gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers on demand? Hang up. Legit organizations don’t operate like that.
Passive Fraud: Sneaky, Silent, and Seriously Creepy
EVERYBODY IS A VICTIM OF THIS. EVERYBODY.
ALMOST ALL PEOPLE who are getting scammed these days are from passive scam/fraud... quiet, unnoticeable, creeping in while you scroll, shop, and sleep. I say almost all, because if you don't have a phone, an email account, or have never been online ---- Yes, these yetis do exist... your data has been leaked...and it is available for purchase. Imagine a large box store like Costco, but instead of consumer goods on the shelves...It's your bank username and password.
Data Breaches: Hackers target big companies, and suddenly, your info is floating around the dark web, ready to be purchased on the dark web.
Phishing & Spoofing: Even a small slip—like replying to an “official” email—can give scammers a foothold.
Oversharing Online: Your posts, selfies, and public info can be used for identity theft or targeted scams. Facebook being the biggest culprit. Even if your settings are private...they are not private to hackers.
Outsmart the Tricksters
How to start protecting yourself now:
Get Rid of Facebook and Gmail. No Really. Your personal data will never be safe if you have these accounts. (Read more Here)
Get an encrypted email --- I suggest a Free Proton Email https://account.proton.me/mail/signup
Add Your New email to all your financial accounts--- Not just your bank and investment accounts, but also Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, Crypto, Stock Trading, etc.
Change your username and passwords on the above accounts at the same time.
Next Steps
These tips are just the start. There are 25 more things you need to do. However, you didn't go to computer school, so this may seem daunting. No Worries. That's where I come in. Take the Next step thats right for you:
IM NOT THAT WORRIED ABOUT MY DATA SAFETY:
Sign up For the weekly Fraud News Updates that include steps to take each week to keep you safe.
OMG! I NEED HELP
I AM READY TO GO NOW!
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