Scammers are people who create accounts with the sole purpose of tricking people into sharing personal information, passwords, or credit card numbers and typically do so via fraudulent emails, messages, or websites that might appear legitimate, such as a bank, email provider, or social media platform.
We have gathered a few tips on how to deal with scammers:
- Usually, scammers want to panic people by creating fake situations of emergency to frighten you and take advantage of the situation so they can control it and manipulate you so we strongly suggest you take your time to check the facts and slow down to take control of the situation.
- Prior to taking any action or following any of their suggestions, please make sure what links you are clicking on and double-check any information they provide.
- Whatever personal information they require do not feel obliged to provide it to suspicious accounts. Keep in mind that no reputable organization will demand payment on the spot.
- Don't click suspicious links and do not download files or software coming from people you don’t know.
- Don't answer and report messages that ask for your - passwords, social security numbers, any financial information.
Here are some tips on how to recognize a scammer easier:
- People who you don’t know and seem suspicious.
- Famous people or their managers asking you for money.
- People ask you for advance fees to receive a loan, etc.
- Prize or award winnings manipulations.
- People claiming to be a friend or relative in an emergency.
- People asking you to move your conversation off the app.
- People claim to want a romantic connection with you quickly and then ask for money.
- Messages or posts with poor spelling and grammar errors.
- A message asking for your urgent response because something is wrong with your online account.
- A message that simply asks you to log in with your social media, email, or bank account to read an important message about the services you use online.
- Accounts representing large companies, organizations, or public figures that are verified.
- People claiming to be from Smule security asking you to provide account information (like your username or password), or offering you account verification services.
- Accounts that have no followers, profile photo, or real-looking activity on Smule.
And here are some common scam schemes:
- Investment scams - some types of false investment scams to watch out for include "cash flipping" scams, Ponzi schemes, or "get rich quick" schemes.
- Romance scams - this type of scammers often pretend to be divorced, widowed, or in a bad marriage claiming they are seeking a relationship. Because their goal is to first gain your trust, they may engage in conversations for weeks or months before they ask for money.
- Lottery scams - this type of scammers usually pretend to be a well-known, popular organization that suddenly starts giving prizes and awards or large amounts of money in exchange for your personal information.
- Commerce scams- these scammers may claim to be selling goods and services online, often at a price that’s too good to be true, and they may try to convince you that you can get a better price if you move the conversation to other communications channels, like email or chat apps