Technological consumer
A few months ago, my aunt almost lost her savings to a “too good to be true” investment pitch. A man called her, claiming he could guarantee 30% returns in just six months if she invested through his platform. It sounded exciting, and she nearly wired the money. Luckily, she mentioned it to her neighbor, who had already fallen for the same scheme and lost thousands. That one conversation probably saved her life savings. Stories like this are everywhere now. You don’t have to look far to find someone who’s been targeted by a scam, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I get fake emails from “Amazon” at least once a week. And honestly, if I get one more text message saying “your bank account has been locked, click here to fix it,” I might just throw my phone into the Hudson. It’s exhausting, but it’s also reality. Scams aren’t rare mistakes, they’re constant, and being a smart consumer is the only way to stay ahead.
So what does being a smart consumer actually mean? First, it’s about awareness. Phishing emails, fake shopping sites, romance scams, “tech support” calls, scammers are endlessly creative. They study what makes people panic or get excited, then use that against us. If you don’t know these tricks exist, it’s very easy to fall for them. My aunt’s story proves that.
But awareness alone isn’t enough. You have to build habits, small, boring habits. Like checking for “https” before buying something online. Like never wiring money to someone you haven’t met in person. Like double-checking a phone number before calling back. These aren’t glamorous, but they act like locks on your digital doors.
Technology itself is part of the problem, but it’s also part of the solution. Sure, scammers use phones and emails to reach us. But we’ve got tools too. For example, I use a site called Have I Been Pwned that tells me if my email has been part of a data breach. Banks send alerts if money moves out of your account. Password managers help you avoid reusing the same password everywhere. These things aren’t complicated, but they make a difference.
The danger isn’t only in strangers reaching out either. Sometimes the scam comes disguised as an opportunity. “Guaranteed investment returns,” “risk-free crypto projects,” “exclusive insider deals,” if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. And yet, even smart people get pulled in. When money is involved, our emotions can override logic. Fear of missing out is powerful. That’s why slowing down and asking questions is one of the best defenses you can have.
Another thing I’ve noticed, scams prey on the most vulnerable. My grandmother once got a call saying her “grandson” was in trouble and needed money immediately. She was terrified, until she realized the voice on the phone didn’t sound like me. Not everyone would catch that. Elderly people, kids using apps for the first time, even immigrants unfamiliar with the language, they’re all targets. Part of being a smart consumer means looking out for others, not just yourself. Share what you know. A quick conversation can save someone a lot of money and heartache.
And yes, mistakes happen. I’m not going to pretend I’ve never clicked a sketchy link. The important thing is reacting fast. Call your bank. Freeze your card. Change your passwords. It’s not fun, but it can stop the damage from spreading.
At the end of the day, being a smart consumer isn’t about memorizing finance textbooks. It’s about staying alert, asking questions, and not letting urgency or excitement cloud your judgment. Scams are getting more sophisticated, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. But if we stay cautious, share knowledge, and use the tools available, we can protect not just our money but also our peace of mind.
Because honestly, we all work way too hard for our money to just hand it over to someone with a fake email address.
By: Soichiro Sugawara
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