Why do we believe spam?
Spam definition – irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over the Internet, or phone typically to large numbers of people all at the same time.
Typically these messages are trying to scam you in some way.
- Access to your financial information
- To load software to your computer or phone
- The theft of your personal information
- To steal your heart and then your money
- And so much more…
Scams cost individuals, organisations and governments trillions of dollars each year in estimated losses, and many victims endure depression and ill health. There is no other crime, that affects so many people from almost all ages, backgrounds and geographical locations.
Unsolicited emails and calls
Every day of the week I receive an email or several from someone random telling me they could make my website rank better. They could get me to page one on Google and they can guarantee me all manner of things.
Their email address is usually just a Gmail account, sometimes it resembles a business and often the English and grammar is terrible but sometimes it is very good.
Scammers frequently use persuasion techniques such as pretending to be a legitimate business and using local numbers to foster familiarity.
It is also very common for them to make time-sensitive claims to increase motivation so that you act before you take the time to think or to speak to anyone else for advice.
It is important to remember that while some are easy to spot, others are very difficult to detect. People creating this spam are doing so with the explicit reason to scam you in some way. They are improving every day and constantly changing the way they do things. It is vital that you are questioning every message, call and email you receive. If you haven’t requested contact, chances are they are spam.
It is not just email and phone – There are many making contact via Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms.
It is not just business spam – love spam/scammers are catching people, including business owners on a regular basis. These ones are often making contact via your social media accounts.
Spam laws
Now – In Australia, we have very strict and specific laws about SPAM – Here are the key elements of the Spam Act 2003
Basically, if you have not interacted with a company or individual in some way they should not be sending you anything.
So with this rule applied “If you don’t know of the sender, it is SPAM”.
You should now find it is easy to know what to exclude from your inbox. Remember that the banks (yours and others) won’t contact you via email to confirm your details, so exclude them too. If you are still unsure, make sure you never click a link in an email, go to the bank or business website directly if you are unsure.
I would also recommend that it is best practice to never click on any email links even if you know and use the company. Instead, go directly to their website to update your details or to double-check on what is being requested.
Believers – Why do we believe spam
The main reason we believe it is that it sometimes strikes a chord with where we are in our lives right now, we may be:
- Looking for a win
- Seeing that It shows that others have been successful and we are also looking for a quick win
- There is a small price to enter or try
- Fearing that you may be going to miss out
- The person on the phone was so nice
- And don’t forget the ones that are looking for love – Typically people who are also feeling not the best self are easily led to believe everything that is said to them.
It is these things teamed up with the guarantees of success that make spam believable and can catch any one of us off guard.
There have been endless articles and reports on the media of people being caught out by these messages – don’t let it be you. Take the time to think about the messages you receive from people and businesses that you don’t know, chances are they are not always true.
If you would like to do business with a local you can trust, contact Kelly @ My Sassy Business.
