Avoid 2024’s most prevalent scams with TikTok’s best tips

It has been estimated that on a daily basis Google blocks 100 million phishing emails.

While phishing emails represent only one of numerous scams that exist nowadays, the experts at Scams.info were eager to find out the most prevalent scams in 2024 and TikTok’s most popular advice on ways to avoid them.

2024’s most prevalent scams and how to avoid them

Identity theft tops the list of the most looked for scams, generating an average of 29,800 global monthly searches.

TikTok’s advice: Be extremely careful whenever you provide personal information. Make sure you change your passwords often. It’s also important to monitor your credit score regularly to ensure everything is in order.

In second place, with an average of 21,900 global monthly searches, are WhatsApp Scams. Scammers have tried various tactics on the messaging app, like pretending to be a relative in need of help, sending QR codes claiming you’d receive a prize, or even pretending to be a charity in need of donations.

TikTok’s advice: Never click on any links you’re unsure of. Be very cautious when providing personal details over messaging platforms. Ensure your two-step verification has been set up.

Accumulating an average of 10,400 global monthly searches, third come cryptocurrency scams. These have been gaining a lot of popularity and often include someone contacting you with the promise of quick or free money.

TikTok’s advice: Always verify contact information. Ignore any unsolicited communications. Think carefully before investing your money.

Fourth place goes to dating scams, with an average of 9,300 global monthly searches. Romance scams can take place on different platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.

TikTok’s advice: Look out for any red flags you might be talking to a scammer, like they’re profile looking way too good to be true, they often tell you they’re experiencing different problems (eventually this will lead to them asking you for money), or they always find an excuse not to meet you in person.

Rounding off the top five, with an average of 3,500 global monthly searches, are AI scams. AI’s quick integration into people’s daily lives has led to scammers finding different ways to use it, including AI-generated websites, AI-enhanced phishing emails and AI-generated listings.

TikTok’s advice: Examine emails very carefully, especially if you’re unsure of their authenticity. Verify the legitimacy of a website before inputting any sensitive information on it. Be suspicious of any unexpected messages containing links or attachments and never click on them if you’re unsure of their origin.

Credit to https://www.scams.info/ who commissioned the data.