The internet can be a treacherous place, and just when you think you’re being security-conscious, someone finds a new way to trip you up. I’ve been following a discussion about a particularly sneaky scam that’s been catching people off guard lately, and it’s got me thinking about how sophisticated these attacks are becoming.

It all started with news of another data breach making the rounds. You know how it goes – everyone suddenly remembers they should probably check if their email addresses have been compromised in previous breaches. The go-to tool for this is Troy Hunt’s “Have I Been Pwned” service, which has become the gold standard for checking if your data has appeared in known breaches.

The other day, my phone buzzed with yet another SMS about unpaid toll charges. Living in Melbourne where CityLink and EastLink are part of daily life, you’d think I might give it a second glance. But this one claimed to be from some toll road in Wyoming. Right, because I regularly pop over to Wyoming for a quick drive.

These scam messages have become so prevalent that the FBI recently issued a warning about them. It would be almost comical if it weren’t for the fact that these scammers are successfully preying on vulnerable people. The tactics they’re using are getting increasingly sophisticated, yet hilariously sloppy at the same time. Messages from Philippine phone numbers claiming to be US state police? Group texts to 30 random people all supposedly owing the exact same amount? It’s like they’re not even trying anymore.

Something deeply unsettling has been happening in the job market lately. The FTC recently reported a staggering $220 million in losses from job-seeking scams, and frankly, it’s both infuriating and heartbreaking to see predators exploiting people at their most vulnerable moments.

Let’s be real here - nobody in their right mind would normally consider paying money to apply for a job. It goes against every basic principle of employment. Yet, these scams persist and succeed because they’ve mastered the art of manipulation, targeting people when they’re at their most desperate.