Preview in:
How to tell that it’s a scam?
Common sense
Usually, a scam is easy to spot. There are a few methods scammers tend to use that make it extremely obvious. Here are the most popular ones:
- Requesting money or personal information - name, credit card details, address, social security number, and so on.
- Too good to be true - celebrities texting you on WhatsApp, a lot of money to win just by clicking a few buttons, etc.
- Poor/suspicious way of texting - scammers often don’t know English very well, so they use translators or ChatGPT.
- Fake authority - Pretending to be from a bank, government agency, or well-known company but contacting you through personal email, social media, or messaging apps.
- Asking for money - Scammers tend to claim they have a family emergency and need money.
Facial recognition
Checking the faces of people who are texting you often leads to finding out that they actually stole someone else’s image. You can upload a photo of the person to a facial search engine and see if the photo is theirs or stolen. Here’s how:
- Open a face search tool such as lenso.ai
- Upload the image of the suspicious person
- Check where they appeared online
If you find their name is completely different, you are likely dealing with a scam.
Video/Deepfake Verification
Ask for a live call. Scammers tend to refuse. If they send pre-recorded “video messages,” check for lip-sync issues, unnatural blinking, or looping.
Most popular scams right now
Some scams follow the same pattern, making them easy to spot.
- Phishing/Smishing/Vishing - fake emails, texts, or calls to steal login or banking info; a quick DKIM verification - e.g., with the EasyDMARC dkim checker, can help confirm authenticity.
- Pig Butchering - long-term scam where criminals build trust (often via romance or friendship online), then gradually lure victims into fake investments (usually crypto). The “butchering” comes when they convince the victim to put in everything they have, then vanish.
- Ponzi & Pyramid Schemes - fake investments paid with money from new recruits.
- Romance Scams - online relationships that lead to requests for money. Lottery / Prize Scams - “You’ve won!” but must pay taxes/fees first. Tech Support Scams - fake calls/pop-ups claiming your computer is infected. Nigerian Prince (419 Scam) - suspicious inheritance or business deal offers.
How to help someone who is getting scammed?
Inform them that it’s a scam
People who get scammed sometimes refuse to believe it. In this case, it’s important you step in and help.
You can send them the results of reverse image search as proof, explain to them how the scam works, or even inform the authorities and get their bank involved so they are forced to accept it.
Help them cut all contact with the scammer
Block the scammer on all platforms. Make sure the person is not contacting them on any social media accounts. Scammers often try to re-establish contact through different accounts, so advise your friend to ignore new requests or messages that seem suspicious.
Ensure the safety of their passwords, card information, images, and accounts
If any personal details have already been shared, help them secure their digital safety. This includes changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and contacting their bank or credit card provider to block suspicious activity. Adding SMS OTP Verification as part of two-factor authentication can give accounts an extra layer of protection with one-time codes sent to a trusted phone number. Report the scam to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Sometimes, the money can be recovered if you contact the bank early.
If you have any more tips on online scams, share this article on social media and let us know! Make sure to stay safe and help your family members or others if you suspect they are being scammed.
Author
Kinga Jasinska
Marketing Specialist
Continue reading
Guides
What to do in the first ten minutes after you find your own face in a reverse image search?
Finding your own face in a reverse image search is a strange feeling. Not usually because the result is sinister, most of the time it is a conference photo, an old profile picture, a team page from a job you left in 2019, but because you did not put it there and you did not know it was there.
Guides
Is your match real? Reverse image search a dating profile
Dating apps are probably the go-to solution for finding a potential date, but unfortunately, they can also be one of the riskiest options. How can you make sure your match is real? Do a reverse image search and find more information using their dating profile picture.
Guides
How to change your subscription plan on lenso.ai?
If you purchased a subscription on lenso, and you’re looking for a way to change your plan, this is the tutorial for you! Find out how to upgrade, downgrade or cancel your subscription, and how it will affect your payment plan.
Guides
Can Reverse Image Search Find People?
Have you ever tried to find a person from a photo? Normal reverse image search doesn't work when it comes to images of people. It can find the same photo on different websites, but it struggles with facial recognition. Read this article to find out how reverse image search technology evolved to add facial recognition into the equation!