SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.™ Special Report: Official U.S. Airforce Warning

Take Proactive Measures, Research To Prevent ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime - is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost.

By Senior Airman William Tracy, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published January 29, 2019

Scams Have Been Around Since The Dawn Of Civilization, However, And Thanks To Technology, They Have Grown In Sophistication

An example of a phishing email arrives in an Airman’s inbox at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 21, 2019. Phishing is a scamming technique in which a scammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer. tries to lure a user through email into following a link or submitting their personally identifiable information and/or money. It is one of many techniques scammers use to exploit individuals for profit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman William Tracy)

Staff Sgt. Kyle Maldonado, 50th Security Forces Squadron investigation section, warns that military members may be targeted as he’s seen an uptick recently.

“Military members are targeted for a variety of reasons,” Maldonado said. “For one thing, we have a steady paycheck which is lucrative to scammers. Additionally, we are trusted members of society, are always moving and may be unfamiliar with an area.”

Among the oldest scamming techniques are false phone calls.

Staff Sgt. Robert Cook, 50th Space Wing safety office occupational safety noncommissioned officer in charge, said callers pretending to offer gifts and prizes, or money of any sort are to be considered suspicious.

“If it seems odd, be very cautious,” Cook said. “If you can determine if the caller is a scammer, forward it to your local police department.”

Cook said the proactive approach towards preventing scamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime - is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no mon