April Fool’s Day: 4 Internet Scams To Watch For In 2024

By Asheea Smith

(Photo : (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)) BATH, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 25: In this photo illustration a a 12-year-old school boy looks at a iPhone screen on February 25, 2024 in Bath, England.

Historians still debate the origins of the famous April Fools' Day.

Some speculate it's history dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian, initiated by the Council of Trent of 1563.

In modern tradition, these hoaxes have crept into our everyday lives including the realm of internet scams. With the rise of internet dating, payment apps, and other digital advancements, internet scams are more prevalent than ever before — and this is no laughing matter.

ENSTARZ has compiled a list of scams you should watch out for in 2024.

1. Student loan Forgiveness

(Photo : (Photo Illustration by Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)) CHINA - 2023/09/06: In this photo illustration, a person seen holding a 100 US dollar bill in his hand.

The student loan crisis has made scamming particularly prevalent among Americans due to a lack of awareness surrounding the sharing of personal details during the process.

According to Experian, scammers may target you by using "professional" scammers who impersonate student loan service companies with the goal of stealing your social security number, bank information, or compensation for fake late fees.

2. AI-Powered Scams

(Photo : (Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)) A smart phone displaying Google with the Google Gemini logo in the background is being featured in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on February 8, 2024.

Perhaps the one of the most elusive of scams, AI is being used to seamlessly impersonate human behavior using advancements in technology.

Deep fakes are able to impersonate celebs or popular social media personalities, utilizing the entity to scam you through internet dating, investing in projects, an employment opportunity, or an agency asking for information.

3. Text Scams

(Photo : (Photo Illustration by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)) Apple's Messages icon displayed on a phone screen is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on August 26, 2021.

Have you noticed an increase in text messages from random phone numbers informing you that a package arrived, is missing, or "your order has shipped?"

If you've ignored them, you were right to do so. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these scams are becoming more common due to their affordability and ease use. Scammers may pose as government agencies, online retailers, banks, or delivery companies to deceive you.

4. Romance Scams

(Photo : (Photo by Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)) A person is holding a mobile phone with the OkCupid dating app logo on its screen, in Athens, Greece, on 31 January 2024.

This isn't the first time we've encountered dating scams, but it's crucial to note that this method has recently surged, with a median loss of over $4,000 per victim per scam.

Scammers often use stock photos and elaborate excuses to avoid meeting in person. Once they gain trust, they commonly request assistance with a lost wallet, purchases, or financial aid.

Dating apps are a common platform for these scams, but they can also occur in platonic relationships formed through casual connections. According to Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, Americans have lost nearly $8.8 billion to scams in 2022.

Protect yourself from online scammers by avoiding unknown links, thoroughly researching unfamiliar contacts, and being cautious of unusual requests from strangers.

Get more information on staying protected from the latest advancements in scamming here.