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Navigating the World of Scams

Learn from real-world cases and experts to empower your customers against scams

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Financial Institutions
Sextortion
Human side of scams
Romance Scams
Regulation
Social Media
Deepfakes
Crypto Scams
Online Scams
Regulation

Shared Responsibility: The Australian Formula for Tackling Scams

This piece highlights the critical need for industry-wide collaboration to combat global scams, emphasizing shared responsibility among financial institutions, telecoms, and social media. This approach, spearheaded by the Australian government, advocates for a proactive strategy to protect against scams, addressing the emotional toll on victims and calling for legislative support to enhance anti-scam measures.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
September 27, 2024
Human side of scams

Understanding the Scam Lifecycle: How to Combat Scams at Every Step

Understanding the scam lifecycle is crucial for preventing fraud. Scams unfold in four steps: initial contact, emotional manipulation, trust-building, and financial loss. By recognizing these stages, financial institutions, telecoms, and platforms can intervene early. Education, technology, and regulation are key to reducing scams.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
September 23, 2024
Online Scams

The Power of Storytelling in Financial Fraud Awareness: Insights from ABN AMRO

In a recent conversation, ABN AMRO's Niels Vink and Kathelijne Swaak highlighted the power of storytelling in fraud prevention. By sharing real customer experiences, the bank fosters awareness and empathy, breaking the taboo around fraud. This approach empowers customers and enhances engagement, setting a new standard for effective fraud awareness campaigns.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
September 4, 2024
Crypto Scams

Pig Butchering: The Hidden Human Cost of Cyber Fraud

Pig butchering is a disturbing form of cyber fraud where scammers, often victims of modern slavery themselves, build trust with targets before leading them into fake investment schemes. These operations are highly organized, utilizing psychological manipulation and emotional connections, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and intervention.

RangersAI Team
August 11, 2024
Sextortion

Educating Teens and Financial Institutions: Insights for Scam Prevention

In a discussion with Wizer's CEO, Gaby Friedlander, we emphasized the importance of educating teens on online privacy, skepticism towards "too good to be true" offers, and recognizing gaming scams. Financial institutions must collaborate to implement effective educational programs, empowering customers to navigate online risks safely.

RangersAI Team
October 18, 2023
Romance Scams

Standing Boldly Against Romance Scams: Empowering Victims on the Path to Recovery

Anti-scam advocates Anna Rowe and Cecilie Fjellhøy, both survivors of romance scams, founded the nonprofit LoveSaid to support victims. LoveSaid provides resources and peer support, focusing on the emotional impact of scams and collaboration with law enforcement. The advocates also call for greater accountability from banks and tech companies to prevent romance scams and highlight the role of friends and family in supporting victims. Their mission emphasizes empowering victims and driving systemic changes to improve online safety.

RangersAI Team
October 5, 2023
Romance Scams

Hearts Exposed: Navigating the Boundaries of Free Speech and Scam Crimes

Kathy Waters, a passionate advocate against romance scams, co-founded Advocating Against Romance Scammers to raise awareness and support victims. The organization engages with lawmakers, providing resources to combat scams and calling for legislative changes. Kathy emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges like Section 230 and advocates for a safer online environment.

RangersAI Team
September 22, 2023
Human side of scams

Navigating Life After a Scam: The Importance of Reporting and Seeking Help

Psychologist Alan Castel explores the psychology of scams, highlighting the shared human vulnerability exploited by scammers. He discusses scam narratives, the psychological impact on victims, and the importance of reporting incidents. Castel emphasizes the need for awareness and support networks to help individuals navigate the digital landscape safely.

RangersAI Team
September 7, 2023
Romance Scams

Defying Romance Scams: Cracking the Seductive Script

Ruth Grover discusses romance scams and the vital role of Scam Haters United in supporting victims. She emphasizes that victims shouldn't blame themselves for their trust and highlights scammers' use of predictable narratives. With a large social media following, the organization engages with diverse victims, fostering awareness and community support against online fraud.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
August 25, 2023
Online Scams

Collaborative Defense: Combating Business Email Compromise Together

Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams exploit trust by impersonating executives to manipulate employees into transferring funds. Education, robust processes, and emotional support are essential for prevention. Scammers also glamorize cybercrime, attracting more individuals. Collaborative initiatives like the BEC Working Group aim to combat these evolving threats.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
August 17, 2023
Social Media

Navigating the Complex World of Scams and Fraud: Insights from a Former Meta Employee

I spoke with Assaf Kipnis, a former Facebook employee, about the integrity team's challenges in combating scams on social media. He discussed the complexities of shutting down fake accounts, the importance of industry collaboration with law enforcement, and the need for grace in external partnerships to effectively combat online fraud.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
July 21, 2023
Regulation

The e-Legal Challenge of Online Scams: Fighting New Crimes with Old Laws

Cryptocurrency investment crimes pose significant challenges for law enforcement. District Attorneys Alona Katz and Erin West highlight that victims span all ages and face unique investigative hurdles due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. Initiatives like Operation Shamrock aim to empower local law enforcement in combating these evolving scams.

RangersAI Team
July 7, 2023
Regulation

Hang Up on Fraud – Tackling Scam Calls and Robocalls

Scam calls have surged, driven by technology, data breaches, and regulatory gaps, causing financial losses and emotional distress for victims. Alex Quilici, CEO of YouMail, emphasizes the need for collaboration among telcos, cybersecurity firms, and regulatory bodies to combat this threat, ensuring consumer protection through data sharing and effective strategies.

RangersAI Team
June 23, 2023
Financial Institutions

Empathy and Facts: How a Fraud Specialist Helps Scam Victims Reclaim Their Lives

Tiffany Paulsen, a fraud specialist at a US credit union, combines empathy and facts to help scam victims recover from emotional manipulation. By creating a safe space for victims to share their experiences, she guides them toward understanding the truth. Her compassionate approach sets a standard for supporting customers facing cybercrime.

RangersAI Team
June 9, 2023
Regulation

Insights from the E-Fraud Global Forum on Online Scams and Countermeasures

Uri Rivner, CEO of Refine Intelligence, discusses the rise of fraud and scams, emphasizing the challenges in detecting scams involving genuine customers. He highlights the shift in liability for banks, the role of behavioral biometrics, and the need for collaboration and innovation to stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
May 26, 2023
Online Scams

Fighting Scams on a Global Scale – Collaborating to Win

In a conversation with Jorij Abraham, CEO of ScamAdvisor and General Manager of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), we discuss the growing threat of online scams. GASA aims to unite governments, businesses, and fraud fighters to share knowledge and strategies, working together to combat scams globally.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
May 11, 2023
Deepfakes

Rising Scams: Can Banks’ Tech Innovations Keep Up with Criminals?

As scams increase, banks are investing in technologies like behavioral biometrics and transaction monitoring to combat fraud. However, the fight against scams will take years to show results. Ethical questions arise about when banks should intervene and how resistant customers impact prevention efforts.

RangersAI Team
April 4, 2023
Human side of scams

The intersection of scams and human crime, a call to action

Ian Mitchell, founder of The Knoble, emphasizes uniting financial crime professionals to protect vulnerable populations from scams, human trafficking, and exploitation. He advocates for global collaboration, proactive fraud prevention, and fostering purpose and hope to create a safer, more compassionate world.

RangersAI Team
March 3, 2023
Online Scams

Fighting Back Against Scams: Amazon's Commitment to Consumer Protection

Scams are on the rise, prompting companies like Amazon to enhance protective measures. Abigail Bishop, Head of Scam Prevention, emphasizes the fight against impersonation scams that target consumers. Amazon collaborates with agencies, investigates reports, and promotes education, urging all businesses to adopt proactive strategies to safeguard customers.

RangersAI Team
February 25, 2023
Romance Scams

The Tricky Side OF Romance Scams : A Private Investigator’s View

In a conversation with private investigator Chris Salgado, we explored the complexities of online scams, especially romance scams. He highlighted the emotional toll on victims and emphasized the need for collaboration among banks, law enforcement, and other entities to effectively combat fraud and protect vulnerable individuals.

RangersAI Team
February 18, 2023
Financial Institutions

Stories From The Trenches: A Fraud Fighter’s Perspective

Seth Ruden highlights the growing threat of scams in financial institutions, emphasizing the need for customer education and proactive measures. Protecting customers is both a moral obligation and a business imperative. As payment networks change liability rules, institutions must adopt effective controls and support systems for scam victims.

RangersAI Team
February 11, 2023
Crypto Scams

Combating Crypto Scams: A Holistic Approach

This blog presents a holistic approach to combat crypto scams, highlighting the need for awareness and education from various sectors, improving prevention methods, and facilitating recovery. It also addresses the troubling link between scams and human trafficking, providing practical tips to recognize and avoid scams, including pig butchering scams.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
January 18, 2023
Financial Institutions

What should banks do to protects us from scams?

The blog highlights the disconnect between financial institutions and consumers in scam prevention, noting that UK banks take a more proactive approach than their US counterparts. With over 80% of banks reporting increases in social engineering and payment scams, Julie Conroy from Datos Insights emphasizes the need for better consumer education, data sharing, and proactive measures to enhance fraud protection.

RangersAI Team
January 12, 2023
Human side of scams

Understanding the Dark Link Between Investment Scams and Human Trafficking

This piece highlights the troubling connection between investment scams and human trafficking, featuring insights from Matt Friedman, a modern slavery expert. He discusses how victims are lured into scams and trapped in exploitative conditions, emphasizing the role of technology in these crimes. The urgent need for awareness, prevention, and support for affected individuals is underscored, along with a call for collective action to address this critical issue.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
January 10, 2023
Crypto Scams

Can We Recover From Crypto Scams?

Pig butchering scams, where fraudsters pose as legitimate cryptocurrency companies to steal investments, are on the rise. Erin West, a prosecutor with California's REACT task force, emphasizes the importance of educating law enforcement about these scams and the need for victims to report their losses. The emotional toll on victims can deter them from seeking help, making awareness and education essential in addressing this growing threat.

RangersAI Team
January 3, 2023
Human side of scams

Let's Talk About Shame

Many victims of financial scams hesitate to report incidents due to feelings of shame and self-blame. Kathy Stokes, Director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP, highlights that consumer fraud is at epidemic levels and often treated as a minor issue. She emphasizes that scammers target people of all ages and calls for a shift in media coverage to focus more on the perpetrators rather than just the victims. Stokes advocates for empowering victims to report scams and breaking down the stigma surrounding these experiences, fostering a culture of awareness and support to help those affected feel less isolated.

RangersAI Team
December 29, 2022
Human side of scams

Introducing Scam Rangers – The Podcast

The fight against financial scams begins long before a transaction occurs, starting with initial contact and grooming victims until they are manipulated into providing money or information. Understanding the scam lifecycle is crucial for prevention. Raising awareness, supporting law enforcement, and leveraging technology can help stop scams before they escalate. Scam Rangers, a new podcast, highlights the human side of scams and features experts and advocates dedicated to combating this pervasive issue.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
December 28, 2022
Human side of scams

Why I am so passionate about stopping online scams, and why you should be too

Online scams impose significant psychological and emotional tolls on victims, using tactics like impersonation, investment fraud, and romance scams. Scammers exploit fear and manipulation, resulting in financial loss as well as feelings of shame and guilt. Many victims remain silent due to embarrassment, despite the prevalence of these schemes. Greater awareness and support are needed to help victims and prevent scams.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
December 14, 2022
Online Scams

The Emotional State of a Scam Victim

Can it happen to you? A family vacation turned stressful when a canceled flight led to an almost-successful scam attempt. In this blog, I share how scammers prey on vulnerable emotions during moments of frustration, and why it's crucial to recognize the psychological traps they set. Learn how emotional investment can make even the most obvious scams seem believable—and why stopping scams before people get attached is the key to breaking the cycle of victimization.

Ayelet Biger-Levin
December 7, 2022

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