Scams are fraudulent schemes or deceptive practices designed to con individuals or entities into giving up money, personal information, or other valuable resources. Scammers often employ various tactics to mislead victims, such as impersonating trustworthy organizations, creating fake advertisements, or exploiting emotional vulnerabilities. The objective of a scam is typically financial gain for the perpetrator, often at the expense of the victim, who may be left with significant losses or compromised personal information. Scams can take many forms, including phishing emails, lottery or prize scams, Ponzi schemes, and identity theft, among others. Awareness and education about common scams can help individuals recognize and avoid becoming victims.
A new scam, known as "smishing," targets commuters by impersonating toll service notifications and demanding false payments. Scammers create convincing fake websites that mimic real toll service pages, attempting to…