When we think about the individuals who fall prey to email scams or those infamous calls claiming “the tax office is coming for you,” we often picture an elderly relative with outdated technology or someone who isn’t very savvy online. However, let me tell you, I’m that person. Yes, me!
I’m a 43-year-old parent who’s capable enough to troubleshoot my kids’ gaming consoles and manage social media accounts. While I may not be the trendiest, I do understand the latest slang. Yet, somehow, I still find myself falling for email scams.
Just last week, I received an email from my uncle with the subject “birthday surprise,” inquiring if we use an online shopping site. I thought, how thoughtful of him to check in regarding my child’s birthday! Without a second thought, I replied, “Absolutely.” Moments later, another email from him arrived with the same query. Oh no. After resetting my password and feeling a bit embarrassed (how did I get tricked again?!), I shook it off. This is just who I am—a person who tends to get caught in email scams.
This isn’t an isolated incident, unfortunately. A few years back, I received a call claiming the tax office was after me due to an issue with my tax return. I panicked and called my partner for legal advice—we’re both lawyers, yet I was still in a state of distress. To add to the irony, I once won a tax writing contest during law school. Yet here I was, caught up in yet another scam.
I’ve reflected on why I, a person who considers themselves fairly tech-savvy, continuously fall for these scams. I know the red flags: avoid unknown links, be wary of strange email addresses, and recognize that late-night messages from acquaintances often mean they’ve been hacked. Yet, I still get tricked. I think it boils down to my trusting nature; I genuinely struggle to believe that anyone would engage in such malicious behavior. When I see an unusual email, my instinct is to assume it’s a relative trying to do something nice. When I receive a call from the “IRS,” I immediately think there must be a simple mistake on my part that I need to clarify.
I’m well aware of the dark side of humanity—having dealt with some nasty messages as a writer on the internet. However, my instinct to trust and believe in people remains strong, and I make no excuses for that.
So, feel free to chuckle at my expense for being so easily fooled by email scams. I have a good laugh about it myself. I won’t let these mistakes define me as foolish. I’m simply someone who believes in the goodness of others, and for that, I won’t apologize. But yes, I will be changing my passwords more often.
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- How to recognize email scams
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- Understanding tax-related phone scams
In summary, I may be tech-savvy, but my trusting nature often leads me to fall for email scams. While I’ve learned to laugh at my missteps, I remain committed to believing in the goodness of people.
Keyphrase: email scams
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