There are very few people on earth who haven't been victims, or at least near victims, of some sort of scam.
Be it a minor one, such as lending someone money under false pretenses, or a more serious one that puts your entire life savings and social security at risk.
Thankfully, certain scams in this modern have become somewhat easy to avoid, owing to the hefty amount of news coverage they've received.
Even so, there are still people who manage to willfully fall victim to them.
Redditor megaxanx was curious to hear about the well-known scams that still manage to attract countless victims, leading them to ask:
"What's a scam that you're surprised people still fall for?"
Maybe They Just Liked The Way They Looked?
"Copper bracelets."- bigdaddygibson
"Had a family friend in the 90s who was involved in a copper health products MLM."
"Do I get double points?"- bigdaddygibson
Five Whole Dollars...
"Those sites that make you do hours of work by downloading shady apps and watching endless ads just to get you 20% of the way to getting a $5 target gift card."- E579Gaming
It's Definitely An Alternative...
"Amway, Herbalife and any pseudo-pharma-sounding crap."- KazakiriKaoru
Angry Alternative Medicine GIFGiphy
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
"The gift card one! I know a full-grown adult who got an email from their 'boss' telling them to go buy gift cards and send pics of them back to a random email address."
"$5000 later."- Expensive_Structure2
That's Why They Invented Caller ID...
"That one where you get a random 'wrong number' text from a gorgeous woman who wants to get to know you."
"I promise no actual women want to get to know a random stranger they accidentally texted."- raccoonhippopotamus
"See The Pyramids Along The Way..."
"Multi-level marketing schemes."
"We have literally so much information now about how they are predatory."
"It’s disgusting how a lot of them target low-income mothers who feel guilty about spending time away from home to work and earn a living."- Confident-Guess4638
Talking Season 3 GIF by The SimpsonsGiphy
Looking at YOU, Anna Delvey!
"Fake, RICH celebrities on Facebook begging for money."- lysistrata3000
When Will We Ever Need To Cut Through A Tin Can?!?!
"Are people still selling those damn Knife Sets?"- Well_Spoken_Mute
raul julia GIFGiphy
Sometimes There's A Reason For The Discount...
“'Contractors' that show up to your door unsolicited telling you they’ll do work on your house for super cheap."
"Especially those 'working in the area'."
"Do your homework on anyone working on your house."
"Make sure they’re licensed, insured, permitted to work in your state etc."- perpetual_student
ALWAYS Triple Check The Number/Email Address
"The email/text 'this is the United Postal Service, your package has been delayed, we need you to verify name, address, and card information for delivery'."
"Gotten those dozens of times when I don’t have any packages on the way, but a ton of friends have fallen for it."- Belial_plz
The Post Office Will NEVER Email You!
"People that fall for the post office '$2 to unlock your package' text messages."- trippinmaui
Crypto Penguin GIF by Pudgy PenguinsGiphy
That Doesn't Even Make Sense...
"My stepfather texted me a year ago saying 'your mom and I won a lottery, we just need to go to the store to get some cards to pay for the taxes'."
"Like cmon man, I know you are smarter than this."
"Thankfully enough all I had to do is ask him why would they make you use gift cards to pay taxes instead of just paying the IRS?"
"He immediately connected the dots."- charlesthefish
...Maybe Depending On Location...?
"Timeshares."- TheJoyToBeLoved
"Say it with me, 'I have a little place in Aspen'."- muchomistakes
Under The Influence...
" Influencer created products and influencer based events."
"Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson and Lunchly as recent examples."- AsWolfwood
Mike Tyson Lol GIF by DAZNGiphy
With the rapid advancements in technology, certain scams are becoming much more convincing and thus easier to fall for.
Even so, if you have even the tiniest shred of doubt, follow your gut instinct.
And never, NEVER give your social security number over the phone...
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram