Has your ego been scammed?
“If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam!”
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Has your ego been scammed?
When did you last get scammed? There are literally dozens of different types of scams, so much so that the US government has even created a formal list of them! In South Africa the scams are a little different and the great website Hellopeter has compiled a list that you might find helpful. They include ATM scams, lost phone scams, remote access scams, the Charity scam whereby great aunt Beatrice needs help with her medical costs and the classic “I have a million USA dollars to give you if you provide me with your bank details…”
Like most people, and despite email security, I too get a steady supply of scams, including those that appeal to my ego in what is called the ‘prize scam’ by suggesting that that I ‘have been selected as one of the world leaders in…’. Instantly the heart skips a beat thinking how exciting – I have been noticed! But as the adage goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably IS too good to be true, so I pause and look for the catch.
So, for a bit of fun let me share a couple of the latest.
An email confirming my successful application to the @real-leaders.com Real Leaders awards, USA, followed by an apology email to say Oops no, you haven’t actually applied but there are still 4 days to do so, and if you pay a fee you can also be featured on the cover of their magazine. That level of dishonesty is a clear warning to run a mile!
But the absolute best is the email I received from @beyondexclamation.com advising me that after careful research I had been selected as “The 05 Most Pioneering Black Leaders of The Year 2023”.
A quick glance at my profile pic will uncover why this one isn’t going to stick, but it did give me a laugh, and now you can also join in the fun.
So, keep your eyes peeled out there, have a chuckle, do your research and don’t allow your ego to get sucked into believing everything you read.
