They're Going to Scam You. Yes, They'll Try Hard.

It's a stark reality of our digital age: someone is probably trying to scam you, or will be soon. And here's a crucial insight: 90% of these scams aren't automated bot attacks. They're orchestrated by real people—individuals highly skilled in social engineering. They know precisely which psychological "buttons" to push to manipulate you into doing exactly what they want.

The Evolution of Scams

We've all seen those suspicious messages at some point:

• "You have an unpaid fine. Click here to resolve."
• "Your [Bank/Social Media/Service] account is in danger! Call this number immediately to verify your details."

Years ago, many would chuckle at the cliché "Nigerian prince" emails. But those days are fading. Scammers have evolved dramatically. Their tactics are more sophisticated, more personalized, and far more convincing.

And if they've evolved, your awareness and defenses must evolve too.

They Already Know You: The Power of Information

Thanks to social media, public databases, and data breaches, scammers often already know a surprising amount about you. They might know your interests, your job title, your place of work, and even who within your personal or professional network they need to impersonate to make their scam more believable. This is a key component of modern phishing awareness – understanding that attacks are often targeted.

For businesses, the threat is even more acute. Scammers might research your company's purchasing processes, identify your key suppliers, and study how you interact with them. They meticulously prepare, sometimes learning to communicate with your contacts even more convincingly than you might in a rushed or distracted moment. Why? Because they've trained for it. This is a common tactic in Business Email Compromise (BEC) and other advanced online scams.

Do You Want to Be Protected from These Scammers?

If you've read this far, the answer is almost certainly yes. Understanding these social engineering tactics is the first step. The next is taking action to protect from scammers.

At NotJustVPN, we provide tools and insights to help you and your business stay ahead of these evolving threats. From analyzing suspicious files and emails to helping you understand the latest phishing techniques, our goal is to empower you.

Don't wait until a sophisticated scam hits your inbox or targets your company. Start building your defenses today.