WARNING!!!

[Grok]

These scams are increasingly sophisticated. I receive regular reminders of the risks and tactics employed by the scammers.

Yes, there are scammers who are obviously putting a lot of thought into their tricks.

I think that it might be a good policy to not react immediately in a questionable situation. Take a few minutes to calm down and think things through before doing anything. Maybe contact a friend and describe the situation-best to talk first with a trusted person with a clear head. During this pause do not click on any link, or speak with an anonymous stranger on the phone.

[Uncle Al]

I've followed this concept for a long, long time.
If the domain name of the sender, is not in the sending email address,
it gets marked as SPAM, then into the trash folder.
I utilize a 'preview' function in my email program,
which allows me to see the address without opening the email.
ie: Joe Brow(at)jollyjokesRus.com - - TRASH
Joe Brown(at)JBrownAssociates.com - - Legit

I've had emails about my 'auto-payment', supposedly from my ISP.
(I'm not on 'Auto-Pay' with anyone )
I look at the sending email address and it's from either Russia, UK,
Poland, Spain or anywhere else.

Uncle Al

[Midas]

I run a company and get a lot of junk mail because my work email address gets onto mailing lists for legitimate sales campaigns. These I deal with by blocking and/or deleting, but it’s like doing a king Canute job and they will always keep coming.

Malware and scams turn up and most are taken out by our ever more sophisticated end user protection. Those that get through are easy to recognise and delete.

The same applies to calls and texts, which come occasionally.

The best attitude to all is a default position of hostility and scepticism. I employ a terse response to cold callers, including door-knockers, that gets rid quite effectively. I have on occasion told a caller from my bank to f…off. If it turns out to be genuine, it can be sorted later and if you offend someone, tough. Hostility works and anything less tends to encourage the would be thief.

[Jim]

On calls, there is a real person calling. They are often obviously working in a large call center. The person calling may well have been driven to such a "job" by poverty. When I'm in a better mood, I try to be compassionate in urging the caller to get an honest job.

[Bill]

I have my phone (iPhone) set to NOT RING if the calling number is not in my address book. Friends and business associates get through - but strangers do not. If is a real call and they leave a "real" message I will respond.

[Grok]

Brief summary of what I have experienced-one of the strategies of scammers

1. Panic the victim. Abruptly throw a scary threat in the victims face. He won't think clearly, because he is not calm.

2. Present the scammer as someone who is trying to help.

3. In the case of the Internet, someone online will have heard of malware/viruses. The scammer is supposedly trying to protect the victim from these.

4. Urge the victim to keep situation secret. So victim won't contact someone who is calm/clear headed.

5. Present supposed means for relief to victim. Which are actually means to gain access....

[phathack]

I have my phone (iPhone) set to NOT RING if the calling number is not in my address book. Friends and business associates get through - but strangers do not. If is a real call and they leave a "real" message I will respond.

Same here, my phone on DND will only ring of the phone number is in the phone directory.
If your not in the list leave a voice mail, SPAM VM take about 5 seconds to start talking. A person normally starts just after the tone so Beep, 1,2,3 delete. Takes under a minute to clear voice mail about once maybe twice a month.