I Write About Scams For A Living, But I Still Fell For This One

The new scams you need to know about now.

By
Published September 04, 2024
illustration of scammer leaving email icon, scams
Megan Mulholland

About a week ago, a friend posted on Facebook that she was selling three Taylor Swift tickets at face value.

She posted a photo of the e-tickets, explaining that she had bought them for her nieces, but they couldn’t make it. The Indianapolis concert would be a relatively quick drive from my home and the ideal combined birthday gift for my two daughters. I write about scams quite a lot, and I know that Taylor Swift tickets are a popular one. But I sort of knew the person behind the screen. Not a scam, right?

I quickly sent her $1,300 via the number she provided, and then her account vanished. Clearly, this wasn’t a good sign. Her post vanished, and she didn’t respond to my texts. I was officially scammed.

Turns out, someone hacked into my friend’s account and was trying very successfully to sell tickets.

A much safer way to buy tickets to the sold-out show is on verified sites like StubHub or SeatGeek, as both are 100 percent guaranteed.

It’s super easy to get scammed these days, as swindlers are getting much more sophisticated. Here are five others to know about:

The Candy Scam

If you live in any American city, you’ve probably spotted families hawking candy bars. But you don’t have any cash. Then they explain that they take Venmo and Zelle: They’ll put their info into your phone for you. You hand over your phone and open up your payment app. Instead of transferring $5 to their account, they add a few zeros, and you realize too late that they paid themselves $5,000 for the candy.

AI Voice Scam

Thanks to AI, it’s simple to replicate a voice, aka a deep fake, which is the basis of this scam. Your “child” or “grandchild” will call you, explaining that they’re in danger and need money stat. Once you send the money, it’s gone. Your first inclination would most likely be to send the money so your loved one can be free and safe — but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends trying to call or locate your child or grandchild to see if they actually need help. Most likely, they have no idea you were worried.

The Airline Scam

When you have an airline emergency, chances are you’re trying to reach someone quickly. You may call the airline to no avail (I tried calling American Airlines last week, and it was an eight-hour hold time). Next, you look for alternative numbers that may connect you to a representative faster. That’s the issue. Some scammers create fake airline websites that look just like the real thing. Alternatively, they list phone numbers for “faster customer service.” When you call that number, they explain that they can help. You pass along your flight and credit card information, and they take care of your problem by using that info to their advantage.

The Code Scam

Selling something on Facebook Marketplace? Beware of anyone who says they need to verify your identity before buying. They send you a code, and when you tell them it arrived, they use that code to break into your payment app or bank — or even steal your identity. Remember that verification codes should never be shared with anyone.

Student Loan Relief Scam

More than one-third of scams reported to the Consumer Financial Bureau involve student loans, which have cost Americans $25 million since this particular scam began. The scammer calls, emails or texts you to inform you about your opportunity to have your student loans immediately eradicated. The catch: You need to pay an up-front or monthly fee to proceed. Some red flags include asking for your FSA ID and StudentAid.gov account info. According to Federal Student Aid, you should never give this information to anyone. Also, be curious about who is contacting you. The only email addresses that the government uses to send info about your student loan are noreply@studentaid.gov, noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov or ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com. They send official texts from numbers 227722 and 51592.

Do you want to report a scam? Check out AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline + phone # (877-908-3360) — free for someone to call for help if they are a scam victim and need help, want to report a scam or ask if something is a scam or not.

Have YOU ever been scammed? Let us know in the comments below.

Danielle Braff is a Chicago-based writer who knows how to find the heart (and humor) in everyday life. When she’s not reporting or crafting smart, relatable stories, she’s juggling life with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and one very lucky dog. A devoted traveler, lifelong reader, and unapologetic ice-cream enthusiast, Danielle brings curiosity, empathy, and joy to everything she writes. Discover more of her work at Daniellebraff.com.