7 Internet Scams That You Still Fall For

Scammers are savvy manipulators who play off your emotions. That's why even the stupidest scams will work on the right vulnerable person. These online scams have been around forever—some, even before the Internet—yet thousands of people are still falling for them every day.

Here's what you need to know so you're never conned again:

1. The Social Media Link Scam

Your Facebook friend just posted a link: "Miley Cyrus did what at a concert last night?" It's accompanied by a fuzzy image of a half-naked Miley. There's even a comment—from the same friend who posted it—that says "You guys HAVE to see this." But click that link and you'll end up on a shady, virus-ridden website. Then it links to your timeline, repeating the cycle...forever.

It works because ... These scams play to our curiosity.

Don't get scammed: The solution isn't to never click links again. Just be mindful of links advertising shocking or adult content, because those will often lead to bad—not to mention NSFW—stuff. Still curious? Ask your friend if they meant to post the link. Worst-case scenario: They didn't, and now you've tipped them off to a hijacked account.

2. The Kidnapping Scam

A desperate email, phone call, or Facebook message that says your friend/daughter/wife/work colleague has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. If you don't wire the cash to the kidnappers within an hour, your buddy is dead.

It works because ... It scares the crap out of you. If it's a phone call, it's usually ill-timed—say at 2 a.m.—to further disorient you.

Don't get scammed: First, don't try to be Liam Neeson or negotiate with terrorists. Second, recognize that you're getting emotional and don't make any rash decisions. Easier said than done, but there are some rational things you can do to help. Try to contact your friend/family member via another form of communication. Something as simple as a phone call or text to a friend who is supposedly being held hostage in Thailand can ease your fears.

3. The Caller ID Scam

You get a call from an unknown number, and the voice claims to be from the local police department. They're investigating a crime, and they want to verify your information—your name, date of birth, and address—to rule you out as a suspect. You're not stupid, so you Google the number and it is the local police department. No big deal, right? Nope—they're actually scammers who fooled your smartphone's robust caller ID with a web service, and now they've got all your info.

It works because ... Smart people don't really want to mess with the police, the government, or any other intimidating agency. 

Don't get scammed: Caller IDs are easy to spoof. Other versions of this scam include calls from government agencies, banks, and utilities companies. But if anyone calls you and asks for information up front, hang up, says Siciliano. "There isn't a government agency or corporation on the planet that will ask for your personal information over the phone," he says. "If they're calling you, they already have it." Only provide that type of information if you call the direct number yourself.

4. The Email Phishing Link Scam

You get an email from your bank that says your account has been compromised—please click this link to login and change your password. It's your bank, so you click and enter your personal details into a website that looks exactly like your bank's website. You hit submit, and nothing happens.

It works because ... These scammers make their emails and websites look good. There's no broken English, wonky layouts, or other red flags. Plus, they take an establishment you put a lot of trust in, such as your bank or credit union, and play off that trust to get you to cough up personal details, passwords, and PINs.

Don't get scammed: Don't click on links in emails—go directly to the business's website. Banks, credit unions, and other businesses that handle your sensitive information like credit card numbers will never send you direct links if your account has been compromised. They'll send you an email with detailed instructions on how to change your password, but they'll send you to the main page or they'll make you type in the URL yourself to do it.

5. The Perfect Online Girlfriend Scam

She's hot, fun, and a great conversationalist on OKCupid. She really wants to meet you in person, but she's between jobs and she can't afford the $300 ticket. No problem—you can just send her the money for travel. Also, she needs a little help with her rent and loves this handbag. Unfortunately, she doesn't exist.

It works because ... Loneliness trumps common sense every single time. People make bad, bad decisions when they're lonely. And these scammers aren't stupid, either—they've been working the online dating sites for long enough that they know exactly what to say to make you fall in love with their online personalities.

Don't get scammed: Not too long ago, advice regarding online dating sites and scams amounted to: Don't do it. But today, meeting people online isn't weird. You don't need to avoid online dating altogether, just be smart about it.

6. The Charity Scam

Con artists often take advantage of tragedies. Think of the Sandy Hook shootings, the Boston Marathon bombings, or the Japan earthquake. Cons will appear in your inbox as charity solicitations: Just click on a link to donate money to a charity that will help the victims. You click, and you're taken to a website that opens a bunch of pop-ups or asks you for money.

It works because ... Like most scams, this one plays on your emotions. You're a good person, and you want to help the victims of tragedies. Plus, it's a current event, so it somehow seems less like a scam.

Don't get scammed: The best way to avoid this is to go directly to the source. Don't trust links in emails—go to the advertised charity and donate on their website, where it's simple to contribute.

7. And yes ...The Nigerian Prince Scam

You get an email from a Nigerian Prince—or other international royalty—who is about to come into an impressive inheritance. He has to leave the country and needs somebody (that's you!) to hold their money in an offshore account. If you pay a nominal fee, they'll give you half of it. No brainer, right?

It works because ... Honestly, this scam doesn't work on about 99.9 percent of the population. When these emails hit your inbox, they're often full of misspellings, bad formatting, and broken English. But that's actually a tactic.

Don't get scammed: Most people don't have to worry about falling for this type of scam. But just in case, remember: You should never wire money to someone you do not know.
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