Pittsburgh Internet Scams Cost Victims Over $100,000 as Experts Cite Mass-Messaging Tactics
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Sep 3
Pittsburgh Internet Scams Cost Victims Over $100,000 as Experts Cite Mass-Messaging Tactics
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Sep 3
Summary
Pittsburgh-area police and experts say online scams are rising, with some local victims losing well over $100,000 and repeat targeting worsening the damage.
Thousands of mass messages can make even a low success rate profitable, while scammers use small pieces of personal information to make contacts feel credible and urgent.
Middle-aged victims are also being caught, not just older adults, as criminals exploit fear, loneliness, insecurity and limited tech savvy to build trust or fake relationships.
Shame often keeps victims from calling police or admitting what happened, which experts say can leave them vulnerable to being scammed again.
Banks, credit card companies and relatives can help verify suspicious requests before money or personal information is handed over, a step experts say is crucial because many scams are hard to spot on first contact.