There are scam artists born every day, but only a select few have made it to the top of their trade. You'll become more familiar with the types of scams and the masterminds behind them, to avoid getting scammed in the future. These 4 valuable tips will help you spot a scam from a mile away:
1) The Ponzi Scheme - The man infamous for having a scheme named after him. Althogh most people associate the Ponzi scheme with Bernie Madoff, it was Charles Ponzi who coined the term first. Charles Ponzi gained notoriety in the early 1920's by promising investors tremendous returns with very low risk involved. He would set up a legit business company and slowly defraud it over a short period of time. Ponzi had ammassed a fortune of over $20 million before his capture and arrest.
Tip: Beware of any "get rich quick" investment opportunities that sound "too good to be true". The odds are that it's most likely a scam.
2) The Madoff Scam - When it comes to fraud, there is one name that stands above the rest, and that name is Bernie Madoff. Bernie Madoff was responsible for bilking many investors out of billions of dollars. It is estimated that he stole over $65 billion in total throughout the course of his criminal career. He created the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history. It is speculated that he began his Ponzi scheme as far back as the 1980's until his arrest in 2009.
Tip: Make sure you have a trusted and reputable broker before you make any financial investments in the stock market. Take the time to do your research, it's well worth it.
3) The Abagnale Scam - Abagnale is best known for his incredible and cunning impersonation tactics. He would go as far as to impersonate an airline pilot, a physician and an attorney. Abagnale was also noted for many daring escapes, including one escape from a moving airplane at JFK Airport. Catch Me If You Can was a movie based on his autobiography, with Leonardo Dicaprio portraying him in the lead role. He currently works as the most saught after authority on forgery and embezzlement, even working with the FBI in a twisted bit of ironic fate.
Tip: Do not accept personal checks from people you don't know or trust without proper verification.
4) The Internet Scam - Scam artists are abundant on the Internet. The Internet makes it even easier due to anonymity. Email scams, such as the Nigerian 419 scam, are the most popular ones used. The email tells you that you were carefully selected by the Nigerian government to transfer funds. It goes further to say that you will be well-reincompinsated for your troubles. Do not open any emails unless you recognize the sender.
Tip: Don't hand out your credit card information to anyone over the Internet unless you know them or trust the sender. Likewise, do not give personal information, such as social security, to anyone either. For all the online shoppers out there, make sure you only use reputable and secured websites before making any payment transactions online.
|
7 Tips To Stay Safe Online While Traveling
Online Safety Tips for Travelers regarding password security and other valuable tips.
These Red Flags Indicate That a Shopping Website is Fake!
With online shopping being more prevalent than ever, scams are also on the rise. These are 8 warning signs that a shopping website is fake.
This Online Scam Is Gaining Popularity at Alarming Rates
Sammers are taking advantage of people's vulnerability during the pandemic. This is how to recognize and avoid the danger.
14 Common Scams You Should Familiarize Yourself With!
Thousands of people are scammed every year, and fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ideas. Here are 14 common scams you should be aware of.
Smishing 101: How to Recognize Scam Text Messages
This is how you recognize and handle fraudulent or scam text messages, also known as smashing.
Doctor Tip: How to Prevent Ingrown Hair
In this insightful video, Dr. Adedeji shares her expertise on preventing ingrown hairs.
These 11 Alcoholic Drinks Have a Fascinating History!
In this article, we’ll tell you about the truly fascinating origins of 11 time-honored cocktails!
Is There Anyone Luckier Than These Two Close Friends?
DJ Ginsberg and Marilyn Wagner paid just $2,000 for what would turn out to be a fascinating piece of motion picture history. Hear all about their story here.
Meet the Genius Who Recorded Humanity's First Sound
Do you know who Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville is? You should!
1950s Debunked: Correcting Misconceptions About the Era
The 1950s may not have been as idyllic as we have been made to believe.
I Had No Idea These Brand Names Are Actually Acronyms
There are loads of brand names out there that are actually acronyms, and here are some of the most surprising ones!
I Grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church: Here's My Story
Megan Phelps-Roper used to be part of America's most reviled group, the Westboro Baptist Church. In this talk she tells how she decided to leave them behind.
Did You Know How Incredible You Were in Your Youngest Days?
Your baby self was incredible! Here are some facts to back this statement up...
The Eerie, Spiritual, and Sometimes Fun History of Masks
Let’s get to know some of the most famous masks in history and the civilizations that created them.
The Slightly Bizarre Club of Hair for Men!
Meet the largest community of men dedicated to growing and celebrating their beards and mustaches, all gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend the 2012 National Beard and Mustache Championships! You have never seen so much epic, amazing and downrigh
18 Unlikely But True Facts That Will Get You Thinking
The saying truth is stranger than fiction is all too true when you read these incredible facts. #2 had me grabbing for my calculator.
Listen to the Enchanting Notes of the World's Oldest Songs
In this article, we will be talking about the oldest known pieces of music ever found.
This Soulful Cello Performance Will Give You Goosebumps
Sit back and enjoy this amazing cello performance
This Man Will Teach You to Speak So You Are Always Heard
Julian Treasure is a sound expert who has been researching human speech and the psychology behind it and is now sharing his findings, teaching people how to speak so that others will listen.
Watch These Old Historical Photos Come Magically to Life
Russian animator Alexey Zakharov has managed to achieve something amazing: he animates old photos and turns them into film. You've got to see this.
Untamed Spirits: Tales of Legendary Mountain Men!
Not many know about these iconic men of the mountains.
Decency Test: Would People Cheat a Blind Man Out of Money?
If a blind man came up to you and asked for your help with his winning lottery ticket, how would you react?
These Well-Known Places Have Their Hidden Secrets!
These well-known places have their hidden secrets. Read this article to reveal all!
A Look into Ancient Greece Like You've Never Seen Before
What can interior design and fashion trends tell us about a culture? A lot more than you think.
Looking at a 100 Years of High School Fashions...
Here's what high schoolers wore each decade of the 20th century.
What Would YOU Do In This Situation?
What would you do if you saw the experiment in this video?
20 Things Most People Think Are the Same, But Aren't!
These words are often mistaken for synonyms, but in reality they are nothing of the sort, because they refer to different things. Learn about 20 of them.,
10 Incredible People You Never Heard Of!
Here are 10 people who have, in their own ways, saved countless lives and at times, the entire planet. They deserve to be known.
The Mysterious City of Caesars and 4 Other Mythical Places
These fascinating, but lesser-known mythical cities have captivated the imaginations of people for centuries, learn about them yourself
The Most Insightful Quotes From the Mind of Albert Einstein
Allow me to share some of the insightful quotes that came out of Albert Einstein's head
Unseen & Rare Photos from History You Will Love
We bet you haven’t seen these amazing historical photos before.
Your Mind Does Play Tricks On You, Say Neuroscientists
There are many sensory tricks that your mind plays on you. Find out about the different phenomena that neuroscientists have discovered over the decades.
20 Astounding Facts That Will Skew Your Perception of Time
These 20 mind-bending facts will show you just how warped your perception of time really is. Enjoy!
You'll Never Guess How These Optical Illusions Work
Here are three incredible optical illusion videos that have taken the internet by storm. Can you solve the mysteries that you're about to see?
911 Operators Have to Deal With the Craziest Cases...
911 operators in the United States are usually the ones to deal with unusual situations and emergencies. Here are 9 unbelievably crazy stories from them.
9 ‘Current’ Words That Are Much Older Than You’d Guess
Hipster, Influencer and Dude - all these words sound so quintessentially modern, but you'd be surprised to learn how old they actually are.
11 Relatively Unknown Peculiar Jobs That No Longer Exist
Here is a collection of lesser-known jobs that are now obsolete. Some of them may sound unusual or even funny; even though they are real.
These Old Photos Show a Fascinating Side of History
Each one of these remarkable photos tells a story of bygone history. See how much the world has changed with scenes of both famous faces, events and everyday moments.
What a Mesmerizingly Beautiful Blooming Flowers Timelapse!
It took one photographer 9 months to record the images for this mesmerizing timelapse film. Watch flowers bloom like never before.
INTERACTIVE: 12 Fascinating Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte
Whether you're a history aficionado or a curious learner, these insights offer a unique glimpse into the man behind the legend of Napoleon.
If You Like Greek Mythology, Don’t Miss These Movies!
If you’re interested in Greek mythology, then make sure you check out these amazing films.
From the Photo Albums of Very Famous People...
See how celebrities looked in their youth, in photos from their everyday life before fame.
This Man Has Taken Refuge in an Airport for 19 Years
Meet Denis Luiz de Souza, a man who, because of unfortunate circumstances, has been living in an airport for about two decades.
9 Facts About Ancient Egypt You Probably Didn’t Know
Venture beyond the usual facts about the pyramids and Tutankhamen and learn 9 equally fascinating facts and misconceptions about Ancient Egypt
These Foreign Laws Are Simply Too Weird For Words...
Discover 8 of the weirdest prohibitions from around the world that are bound to make you chuckle!
The Chilling Story of Hungary’s Murderous Blood Countess
Elizabeth Bathory is one of the most feared names in Hungary, with a sadistic streak to rival that of Vlad the Impaler's.