Dangerous messages

Bitget, a cryptocurrency exchange, put out a new report that described the hottest ways to con normal people out of their money these days.

Why it matters: None of us want to be duped.

How it works: Artificial intelligence is making scammers more dangerous. Here's some categories to be vigilant about:

• Familiar (but fake) voices offering an appealing investment. These are AI-powered, so they could sound like someone you know.
• Social engineering. Surprisingly good offers (such as for prizes or jobs) or scary offers (about debts you owe, taxes that need to be paid) that include facts about you that you think someone inauthentic couldn't know. You would be surprised at how much scammers can work out about you (and sometimes they just make great guesses).
• Ponzi schemes. I'm less worried about this one for readers of this newsletter, but be wary about offers to get in on too-good-to-be-true investments.

Threat level: Remember one of the most consistent signs that something is a scam is urgency.

• 🚩 If someone is pushing you to act now, won't get off the phone, tells you there is not much time, that's a red flag.

Take. A. Breath.

• Before doing anything that exposes your wallet, run the story by someone you know is real.

Zoom in: And just a reminder, if you've ever used Coinbase, there's a good chance you're getting hit up a lot right now, because a list of lots of their customers got exposed.