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The internet’s a double-edged sword: information at your fingertips, but also scammers lurking around every corner. From phishing emails to identity theft on social media—it’s enough to make you paranoid.

Some people, however, choose to defend themselves against scams with humor. For the past few years, Bored Panda has been diving into the r/Scams subreddit and showing you hilariously embarrassing attempts to steal people’s money.

The subreddit’s community has more than doubled in size since we last covered it: there are 783K members now! To keep you sharp, we’ve gathered new posts from r/Scams along with tips from cybersecurity pros Chuck Brooks and Burton Kelso.

Scams are hitting wallets hard these days. The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lost a staggering $10 billion just last year.

According to Chuck Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting International and Cybersecurity Person of the Year, modern technology has made it easier to fall victim. For example, AI can now create video and voice recordings that impersonate loved ones in distress to trick you into sending money.

#2

Found In Tumblr

Found In Tumblr

Bitter_Jaguar_7914 Report

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Kalikima
Community Member
Premium
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how the scammer actually listened and said good morning.. lol

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With 117k followers on Linkedin, Brooks shares insights on cybersecurity, emerging technologies, business development, and government relations. He notes that fraudsters pretending to be someone else is one of the most common scams.

This technique is known as spoofing. It’s usually done through phishing emails or text messages that look like they came from a trusted source, like a friend, a bank, or your workplace.

#3

Friend Sent Me This And I Got A Kick Out Of It. Thought Y’all Would Enjoy Too

Friend Sent Me This And I Got A Kick Out Of It. Thought Y’all Would Enjoy Too

Randevu Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
4 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#4

I’m Still Getting Those Random Messages. How Do You Deal With Yours?

I’m Still Getting Those Random Messages. How Do You Deal With Yours?

RealRoosterhoot Report

In the past, it was easy to spot spoofs because they often had misspelled words, bad images, and claims that didn’t make sense. Now, scammers can convincingly fake entire webpages, caller IDs, and even IP addresses.

#5

I Love Messing With Scammers. The Phone # Is A Spam Number That I Pulled From My Contacts

I Love Messing With Scammers. The Phone # Is A Spam Number That I Pulled From My Contacts

OtekahSunshield Report

Technology expert and TEDx speaker Burton Kelso also advises to be cautious of suspicious ads, as they can lead to fake versions of company websites. To stay safe, check official websites independently.

#7

Bait Not Taken

Bait Not Taken

RealRoosterhoot Report

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Boredest Panda
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s it?! Your/my/our cat deserves better (edited to fix spelling)

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#8

:)

:)

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BossyHossy1
Community Member
Premium
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I might have a sightly different name: Abbs O'lute Lynott

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Even if you are tech-savvy, that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily immune to scams. For instance, younger generations who heavily rely on the internet are particularly vulnerable. According to a survey by Deloitte, American Gen Zs are 3 times more likely to fall for online fraud than boomers.

#11

I Was Surprised To Get A Message From A High School Friend's Father

I Was Surprised To Get A Message From A High School Friend's Father

blackcav Report

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Kalikima
Community Member
Premium
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These poor people who come back from the dead and can't reclaim their stuff.. I feel for them..

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So while it may be entertaining to read these posts because some scammers are not the brightest, you need to be careful. The most effective way to protect yourself is simply to avoid interacting with them altogether.

#13

It’s Not A Story The Scammers Would Tell You…

It’s Not A Story The Scammers Would Tell You…

Apprehensive_Ad_7249 Report

#14

How My Buddy Deals With Scams

How My Buddy Deals With Scams

xMrSaltyx Report

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Brooks and Kelso recommend using multi-factor authentication on your devices to prevent scammers from getting your private information in the first place.

“This raises the bar toward stealing your passwords by requiring two or three steps to access data,” says Brooks. “You can use biometrics such as facial recognition, an eye scan, or a thumbprint to add an additional level of security”.

#16

The Person Who Definitely Wasn't Talking With A Bot

The Person Who Definitely Wasn't Talking With A Bot

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David
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ELIZA from the 60s did a better job of trying to pretend to be a real person

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#17

I Used To Live In Los Angeles. I've Never Owned A House. I Get These Texts All The Time

I Used To Live In Los Angeles. I've Never Owned A House. I Get These Texts All The Time

I have no idea how this scam even works or what the end game is. But I've started replying in ways that make me giggle

sniperwolfjob Report

#18

A Pleasant Conversation I Had With A Whatsapp Scammer Today

A Pleasant Conversation I Had With A Whatsapp Scammer Today

apersello34 Report

Hackers are also really good at figuring out passwords by themselves. On social media, they can find people’s birthdays, places where they lived, and phrases they like to use. Don’t use that information to create your passwords and change them regularly.

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#19

Scammer Was Asking Me To "Invest $300". Had To Do It To 'Em

Scammer Was Asking Me To "Invest $300". Had To Do It To 'Em

7phyr Report

#20

If Messing With Scammers Is Wrong I Don’t Want To Be Right

If Messing With Scammers Is Wrong I Don’t Want To Be Right

DanOfMystery Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You better watch out you better beware Albert said that E equals M C squared Einstein A Go Go

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#21

I Have Suddenly Been Receiving Lots Of Fake Check Scams, Probably Because I Respond To All Of Them. This One Is Gold🤣

I Have Suddenly Been Receiving Lots Of Fake Check Scams, Probably Because I Respond To All Of Them. This One Is Gold🤣

RyeSicle Report

Moreover, Kelso suggests being mindful of where you share your phone number and email address. If you give them out too freely, untrustworthy companies might sell your data. This could leave you with dangerous spam emails and unwanted calls.

#23

The Person Who Was Kind Enough To Connect A Scammer With Some Other Scammers

The Person Who Was Kind Enough To Connect A Scammer With Some Other Scammers

bradchriswick Report

#24

Scammers Really Dislike It When You Force Them To Venture Off Script

Scammers Really Dislike It When You Force Them To Venture Off Script

johndeaux588 Report

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Remember that scammers rely on psychological manipulation to take advantage of you. “They use fear-based tactics to get us into our primitive brain, which is always on alert,” Alex Melkumian, founder of the Financial Psychology Center, said for Time Magazine. “[This] really just hijacks our ability to rationally think through the situation.”

#25

The Person Who Deployed Eighth-Grade Humor To Great Effectiveness

The Person Who Deployed Eighth-Grade Humor To Great Effectiveness

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#26

I Don't Know If This Is A Money Thing Or A Serial Killing Attempt, But It Gave Me A Good Laugh Today

I Don't Know If This Is A Money Thing Or A Serial Killing Attempt, But It Gave Me A Good Laugh Today

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That one could as well be someone who gave a fake phone number to a creep to make them go away

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#27

Most Common Lost Pet Scam (Verification Codes)

Most Common Lost Pet Scam (Verification Codes)

Ultimate_CatLover Report

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Bec
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me and I was also at work when the scammer was asking for this code and I had not heard of such a scam before so it was very frustrating as I tried to answer texts while working. It was really heartbreaking, we never did find out cat. DON'T ever post a phone # in Craigslist

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At the end of the day, Kelso says to “trust your gut.” Delete messages that make you feel uneasy and don’t make quick decisions. “If people really want to contact you, they will reach out [until they do].”

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#32

The Person Who Found A Scammer Willing To Go To The End Of Middle-Earth To Scam Them

The Person Who Found A Scammer Willing To Go To The End Of Middle-Earth To Scam Them

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#33

Had To Be Reminded

Had To Be Reminded

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the sixthgirl
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Update your *informations* below. I worry AI is going to help them improve their grammar and syntax, and they will just keep getting harder to spot.

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#34

This Sub Has Made Me Aware Of Literally Every Scam Before It Happens

This Sub Has Made Me Aware Of Literally Every Scam Before It Happens

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doggio
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You give them the code and they take over your account. You'll never even know it happened. Then they scam others through your legit account, except they will use a different phone number.

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#37

I Finally Received One Of These! I Feel Like A Full Member Of Society Now

I Finally Received One Of These! I Feel Like A Full Member Of Society Now

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#38

Got This Yesterday. I Just Want To Rehome Some Guinea Pigs, Not Looking For This Nonsense

Got This Yesterday. I Just Want To Rehome Some Guinea Pigs, Not Looking For This Nonsense

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John Dilligaf
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, this is like the 5th or 6th entry about sending a 6 digit code to verify if you're real. I don't understand this one. Can someone clue me in on this scam?

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#39

These Scammers Man

These Scammers Man

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#40

My Name Is Not Adora

My Name Is Not Adora

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#41

I’m Sooo Tired Of This S**t

I’m Sooo Tired Of This S**t

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Momma Jess
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was selling my car and someone tried the "six digit code thing" and my response was "I'm not downloading anything or clicking on links, as someone that works in IT I'd be straight up stupid to do so"

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#43

Update, My Friend Did In Fact Get A Text. Details Inside

Update, My Friend Did In Fact Get A Text. Details Inside

Lokael Report

#44

Thanks To This Sub I Knew Exactly What This Was. Wrong Number Scam

Thanks To This Sub I Knew Exactly What This Was. Wrong Number Scam

gandhimahatma1 Report

#45

Scammers Failing Hard

Scammers Failing Hard

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BenjiExists
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah because he said “ayo” and it’s pretty informal, this one could not be a scam

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