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There are a few common scams that directly demand Google Play or iTunes gift cards from the victim. The most depressing one I've heard about is a phone scam whe

by skymt 7y ago

There are a few common scams that directly demand Google Play or iTunes gift cards from the victim. The most depressing one I've heard about is a phone scam where the caller claims to be from the IRS and demands that the victim pay some overdue taxes in the form of gift cards. This is common enough that I've seen notices specifically warning about it on the gift-card displays at drug stores. The fact that this scheme apparently works says a lot about America's civics education.

nscalf 7y ago
I disagree about the civic education. Everyone knows the IRS doesn't take gift cards, it's more about taking advantage of people when they have a panic response. You get a call from the government saying you're going to jail if you don't pay them right now, you may panic. If you panic, what are the odds that you're going to get yourself under control before you do something stupid? I've seen this happen to a very bright coworker of mine, it's all about taking advantage of human fear.
- skymt 7y ago
  That's true. (And this is tangential anyway.) I do think that a greater familiarity with how the government works could help in that moment of panic, reducing the self-doubt of "I don't think this sounds right, but what if I'm wrong?"
- inetknght 7y ago
  > Everyone knows the IRS doesn't take gift cards If that were the case then nobody would fall for the scam.
ocdtrekkie 7y ago
To follow up on the other response to your comment, remember that for these scammers, this is their job, and they do it over and over again, day in and day out. They know what strategies work and what doesn't, and manipulating people to doing something stupid is their whole goal. They are experts in scamming people, and the people they are calling are not experts in detecting scams. It is important to encourage people to trust their Spidey sense, most people know something seems off when these calls come in. But we need not trash people for falling for scams.

by skymt 7y ago

nscalf 7y ago

I disagree about the civic education. Everyone knows the IRS doesn't take gift cards, it's more about taking advantage of people when they have a panic response. You get a call from the government saying you're going to jail if you don't pay them right now, you may panic. If you panic, what are the odds that you're going to get yourself under control before you do something stupid? I've seen this happen to a very bright coworker of mine, it's all about taking advantage of human fear.

skymt 7y ago
That's true. (And this is tangential anyway.) I do think that a greater familiarity with how the government works could help in that moment of panic, reducing the self-doubt of "I don't think this sounds right, but what if I'm wrong?"
inetknght 7y ago
> Everyone knows the IRS doesn't take gift cards If that were the case then nobody would fall for the scam.

ocdtrekkie 7y ago

To follow up on the other response to your comment, remember that for these scammers, this is their job, and they do it over and over again, day in and day out. They know what strategies work and what doesn't, and manipulating people to doing something stupid is their whole goal. They are experts in scamming people, and the people they are calling are not experts in detecting scams. It is important to encourage people to trust their Spidey sense, most people know something seems off when these calls come in. But we need not trash people for falling for scams.