Every day, thousands of Internet users fall for silly hoaxes and transparent scams. Why? Many commentators suggest that all of the people who fall for such scams and hoaxes are just plain stupid. But, this is not true…
This article has now been revised, updated, and moved to a new home on Medium.
You can read the new version here:
Why Do Otherwise Smart People Fall For Obvious Scams and Hoaxes?
Recent Posts:
‘We Have a Surprise for Australia Post Customers’ Survey Spam Email
According to this widely distributed spam email, Australia Post customers have a surprise waiting for them if they click a link.
‘Confidential Image’ Email Phishing Scam
According to this email, the "server administrator' has sent you a confidential image. Supposedly, you can click a button in the email to view the image.
‘$500 million Pandemic Giveaway’ Advance Fee Scam Email
This email purports to be a final notice regarding a large sum of money that you have supposedly won in the "Exxon Mobil Grand Prize Sweepstakes".
‘Free Round Trip Tickets from Southwest Airlines’ Facebook Giveaway Scam
According to posts that are currently appearing on Facebook, Southwest Airlines is giving 500 people free round trip flights to their desired destination.
Beware of Scam Calls About Amazon Prime Subscriptions
Criminals continue to victimize people via scam calls that are supposedly related to Amazon Prime subscriptions. [TopContentAd] Here's how these scams typically work: You receive an automated call claiming that your credit card has been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription. The message claims that your personal information has been used to purchase the subscription…
Watch For Fake Avan Motorhome Giveaway Posts on Facebook
Various posts currently appearing on Facebook are claiming that you can win an Avan Ovation Motorhome just by sharing and commenting.
SCAM – Fake Qantas Facebook Page Promising Free Flights
According to this Facebook post, Australian airline Qantas is giving away free flights in exchange for commenting and sharing.
‘For the Mutual Benefit of the Orphans’ Advance Fee Scam
According to this email, a wealthy widow diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour needs your help to distribute a multi-million dollar investment fund "for the mutual benefit of the orphans and the less privileged ones in your location".
‘You Received a Voicemail’ Phishing Scam Email
Keep an eye out for fake Microsoft emails that claim that you've received a voicemail and should click a link to listen to it.
‘Email Termination Has Been Processed’ Phishing Scam
According to this message, which purports to be from "Mail Control", I sent a request to terminate my email account.
Apple ‘Your Account Has Expired’ Phishing Scam
According to this email, which was supposedly sent by Apple, your account has expired and you can read more information in an attached PDF.
‘Coronavirus Compensation’ Advance Fee Scam
According to this email, "administrator and management" have decided to award all of their email users with a coronavirus compensation payment. Supposedly, you have been selected to receive a "lump amount" of $250,000 USD and should contact the "payment remittance center" to claim your payment. However, it hardly needs to be said that the email…
‘We Add New Photos’ — Google Photos Scam Email
This email, which appears to have been sent by Google Photos, claims that new photos have been added to your album.
Fake ‘Security Update’ Email Targets LogMeIn Users
If you use the remote access service LogMeIn, keep an eye out for a fake email claiming that a security update has been released. [TopContentAd] The email is a phishing scam designed to steal your LogMeIn account access credentials. The email, which features the LogMeIn logo, has the subject line "A New Update Has Been…
Criminals Are Exploiting the COVID-19 Pandemic via Money Laundering Job Scams
Amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, authorities are warning people not to fall for money mule "employment opportunities" that may come their way via email and the Internet. [TopContentAd] With many people around the world unexpectedly unemployed or unable to work due to COVID-19, criminals suddenly have a much larger pool of potentially vulnerable victims to target.…
‘Maldives 2021’ Facebook Giveaway Scam
According to a post currently being shared across Facebook, you can win a 14-night vacation at a luxury Maldives resort just by sharing and commenting.
Microsoft ‘Document Share Portal’ Email Phishing Scam
According to this email, you have received a quotation request via the Microsoft document share portal and should click to access the document.
‘£175 Lidl Voucher’ WhatsApp Giveaway Scam
Messages being distributed via WhatsApp are claiming that European discount supermarket chain Lidl is giving away £175 vouchers to "support the nation during Corona pandemic".
Don’t be Complacent – It’s All Too Easy to Fall Victim to Malware Attacks
Online criminals long ago realized that the simplest ruses are often the most effective. The malware campaign I discuss in this report is a good example of such a simple approach.
New Zealand Inland Revenue Tax Refund Phishing Scam
According to this email, which claims to be from New Zealand's Inland Revenue, you are eligible to receive a tax refund from 2019.
‘Adobe Cloud’ Phishing Scam Email
According to this email, which purports to be from giant software company Adobe, you have been sent files via Adobe Cloud.
‘Prince Obinna Solomon Friendship Request’ Facebook Hacker Hoax
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay According to a message that is currently circulating via Facebook, you should not accept a friendship request from Prince Obinna Solomon because he is a hacker. [TopContentAd] Supposedly, Prince Obinna has “the system connected to your Facebook account”. It warns that if one of your contacts accepts his friend…
Woolworths $200 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam
According to a post that is making its way rapidly around Facebook, major Australian supermarket chain Woolworths is giving a $200 coupon to everyone who shares the link.
Microsoft ‘Unusual Sign-In Activity’ Email Phishing Scam
This email, which purports to be from the "Microsoft Team", claims that the company has detected something unusual about a recent sign-in to your Microsoft account.
‘We Hacked Your Website’ Fake Blackmail Bitcoin Scam
According to this message, which is targeted at website owners, the senders have hacked your website and extracted your database.