Hoaxes, Scams, and Data Manipulation

Hoaxes, scams, and data manipulation are at an all-time high. With so much of our daily lives happening online, scammers now have more tools than ever to create convincing lies designed to steal personal information or money. As technology becomes more advanced, so do the tactics used to deceive people, often targeting emotions, urgency, or confusion.

Recently, I almost fell for a scam myself. On October 21st, I received a voicemail from a woman who claimed her name was Nancy. She said there was a missing file on my taxes connected to my phone number. Since I don’t file my own taxes, I wasn’t sure whether the message was legitimate. I was also thrown off because she repeated my number back to me, which made it sound more real. Still, I had received similar messages in the past, so I tried not to panic. I texted my mom for her opinion, and after talking it through, we realized it was just another attempt to scare someone into sending money. Situations like this show how easy it is to be caught off guard, even when you think you’re being careful.

Because scams are becoming more sophisticated, it’s important to understand the warning signs. Suspicious messages often come from unfamiliar numbers or email addresses, or from domain names with slight misspellings. Many scams also rely on creating a sense of urgency, claiming that something terrible will happen if you don’t act immediately. For example, they might insist you owe money, threaten legal action, or even claim a loved one is in danger. Scammers depend on people reacting quickly instead of thinking critically.

To protect yourself, it’s helpful to slow down and assess the situation before responding. Double-check information with someone you trust, look up official contact numbers, and avoid clicking links or sending money to unknown sources. Ultimately, trusting your instincts can make a big difference. If something feels off, it probably is.