PSA: Don't click/follow links in chat

[Ursa_Vonfiebryd]

So a lot of us have seen the Tells/Yells about some outrageous forum post that we should go follow this (fake) link and give our opinion. I've seen the warning about Twitch links but I have yet to see a warning about forum links, which are more harmful since this is how accounts get stolen (and likely sold). Tonight I got a Tell about some huge gil payout free raffle, where you go post a number in the forum (fake link) or bump the post in order to win. Of course, being a forum user I could tell the link was bogus right away but someone who doesn't might not, so I'm posting this warning to get the word out. -Please don't follow links in chat, or at least be very cautious--especially if it ends up requesting a login.

I'm not trying to kill fun things like streaming links and such, just trying to spread awareness so that your account doesn't get compromised. Stay safe everyone.

[KageTokage]

Normal people do not just shove links in your face without so much as a greeting, so I'd like to think some are smart enough to recognize the scam without being active forum users.

[Hasrat]

Normal people do not just shove links in your face without so much as a greeting, so I'd like to think some are smart enough to recognize the scam without being active forum users.

Some are, sure. But, there's a funny thing going on, I think, and it has to do with the new young generation(s) that have basically grown up on the internet. Just a couple generations back, we all grew up knowing the stories of sketchy sites and viruses lurking in every suspicious link or email and never give away personal info, etc. But, kids got it easy these days. Makes 'em easy prey for the old tricks when they think they can trust their safety to the internet.

[Vahlnir]

It STILL kills me how so many people seem to fall for this crap. Clearly enough do or they wouldn't keep running these scams.

[Dzian]

Some are, sure. But, there's a funny thing going on, I think, and it has to do with the new young generation(s) that have basically grown up on the internet. Just a couple generations back, we all grew up knowing the stories of sketchy sites and viruses lurking in every suspicious link or email and never give away personal info, etc. But, kids got it easy these days. Makes 'em easy prey for the old tricks when they think they can trust their safety to the internet.

The weird thing here is. Given how the younger generations have basically grown up on the Internet. They should be able to spot a fake url with ease

[ryouma17]

It STILL kills me how so many people seem to fall for this crap. Clearly enough do or they wouldn't keep running these scams.

i know right? you'd think people would have enough common sense to spot a trap but then again we live in a society that thinks its ok to eat tide pods so it doesnt surprise me in the least that people still fall for scams

[Hasrat]

The weird thing here is. Given how the younger generations have basically grown up on the Internet. They should be able to spot a fake url with ease

Like I said. They're growing up in an age where the internet is largely safe for them. Or, at least, not as "dangerous" as it once was. When you don't grow up with that danger, you can't really learn to spot it. Preying on their trusting nature as they take everything at face value. Scams may seem obvious to most, but there's always someone willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

[Chie_M]

Some are, sure. But, there's a funny thing going on, I think, and it has to do with the new young generation(s) that have basically grown up on the internet. Just a couple generations back, we all grew up knowing the stories of sketchy sites and viruses lurking in every suspicious link or email and never give away personal info, etc. But, kids got it easy these days. Makes 'em easy prey for the old tricks when they think they can trust their safety to the internet.

I'm continuously flabbergasted about how much personal information youngsters freely post on the internet - down to their legal surname and the school they attend. It wouldn't surprise me if, as you say, the victims of these scams are mostly youngsters. They seem to be extremely trusting of strangers on the internet.

[Saefinn]

As a teenager I know I was more gullible...I know I fell for a couple of things back on RuneScape, fortunate nothing as bad as Phishing scams, but I did lose a load of loot, including my best armour. So I expect it's likely there are people they can catch out.

The other thing is the URL's are often very close to the real thing. If you mindlessly don't spot it, I think that can catch somebody out, though I know I'm always suspicious of links that come from strangers, but then I am well versed on the interwebs to be suspicious of people. The ones I've often received have been poised as "there is this outrageous thing SE is doing, comes to the forum and be heard" or something along those lines. And Phishing sites are often hard to distinguish from the real thing, it's the URL that's the giveaway.

[LianaThorne]

I think it's safe to assume that it's mostly kids falling for this stuff. They probably see the ad and go "OMG FREE GIL??? YESSSSSSS!" and run to it like a dog chasing after a fox.