Scams in the Digital Age

         In an age of unprecedented interconnectedness, scams can spread more easily than ever. Because online payments and shopping are the norm, there is a big opportunity for unethical hackers to distribute enticing scams to many people. In my own experience, I have been subjected to relentless messaging from fake business personnel. In a recent example of this, I was included in a group chat with 18 other people who were told from an anonymous sender that their package could not be delivered. It was clear to see that it was a scam because I had not ordered using FedEx in a long time, and the message was designed to lure in an individual’s concern with an audience of 18. It is an unfortunate side effect of instant messaging that scammers can get away with using tools like fake phone numbers and AI chatbots to swindle a potentially large number of people at minimal risk to the perpetrator.