Love screwing with scammers? Expert warns revenge pranks put you at MORE risk as crooks make sinister threats
AN EXPERT has warned the public not to mess around with scammers by carrying out revenge pranks as it could be even more dangerous.
Scam-baiting has become an internet phenomenon with YouTubers and TikTokers attempting to get back at fraudsters.
This week, O2 revealed its own AI scam-baiting granny designed to waste the time of cyber con-artists.
The hilarious tech cleverly chatters away about family and knitting like a human.
Some cunning Brits like to get their own revenge too, from leaving the scammer hanging on the phone forever to putting on fake voices.
But a cyber expert has warned the public against this tempting tactic as it could enrage the person behind it.
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, says he has heard of people receiving threats when arguing back.
“The response was ‘I wouldn’t mess with me, mate, I know your address’ and then the scammer replied with his actual address which put the fear into him,” Jake told The Sun.
“Attempting to get back at scammers may seem tempting, especially when it can be seen as time well spent stopping them from actively targeting other victims.
“However, it may not be such a good idea to engage with scammers as you should never underestimate how much personal data they already have on you.
“The risk of retaliation from organised groups and individuals with advanced technical skills could lead them to respond with further harassment, identity theft or even more serious cyberattacks that don’t require any input.”
He also says that continued interaction with scammers increases your exposure to genuine malware, phishing attempts or other deceptive tactics that could leave you even more vulnerable.
Instead of seeking revenge, it is far safer to ignore any communication and refrain from any interaction altogether, he warned.
“Or better still, you’re better off reporting interesting scams and tactics to the authorities for a better understanding of how they operate.”
How to spot a scam email
Check the sender’s email – does it match trusted web addresses used by the organisation they’re claiming to be?
Scams often – but don’t always – use generic greetings like “dear customer”.
Fraudsters rely on creating a sense of urgency – so be warned if you’re being told to act immediately.
They are also more prone to grammar and spelling errors.
How to protect yourself from scams
BY keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid getting caught up in a scam:
- Firstly, remember that if something seems too good to be true, it normally is.
- Check brands are “verified” on Facebook and Twitter pages – this means the company will have a blue tick on its profile.
- Look for grammatical and spelling errors; fraudsters are notoriously bad at writing proper English. If you receive a message from a “friend” informing you of a freebie, consider whether it’s written in your friend’s normal style.
- If you’re invited to click on a URL, hover over the link to see the address it will take you to – does it look genuine?
- To be on the really safe side, don’t click on unsolicited links in messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted contact.
- Be careful when opening email attachments too. Fraudsters are increasingly attaching files, usually PDFs or spreadsheets, which contain dangerous malware.
- If you receive a suspicious message then report it to the company, block the sender and delete it.
- If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use its online fraud reporting tool.