From strange texts, and surprise “you have won!” messages to people impersonating everything from bank representatives to loved ones, internet scammers are constantly trying new tricks to steal your hard-earned money. Fortunately, there are some folks out there who really should not be messed with.

The “Scambait” internet community shares the best examples of people getting back at and wasting the time of online scammers. So get comfortable, prepare to take some notes, and be sure to upvote your favorites.

#1 I Need To Use This Lmao

Image credits: reddit.com

#2 Nigerian Scammer

Image credits: Dakr1177

#3 Got A Wrong Number Scam Text, Had Some Fun With Mallard Facts (Thanks To The User That Created It)! Will Be Using Mallard Facts Again!

Image credits: Lord_Voltan

While these examples are quite funny, as it’s always enjoyable to see bad things happen to bad people, it’s best to be safe when in any way coming into contact with scammers. While many are, apparently, too dumb to do honest work, there are very clever, manipulative, and insidious folks out there.

So it can be helpful to understand some basics of protecting yourself online and in life. In general, most places like banks, government offices, and social media sites will never reach out to you first. If someone calls you out of the blue, claiming to be a representative of your bank, it’s best to simply drop the call.

#4 First Time Ever Interacting With A Scammer, Me And My GF Had A Laugh

Image credits: Decaying_mushroom

#5 My First One, How Did I Do?!

Image credits: Sizman19

#6

Image credits: The_Scooter_Boy

Given the fact that most of us hate phone calls anyway and might not even respond to a person we know, scammers have switched to texts and email. You may have already experienced getting a text message claiming to the postal service or a delivery company that claims to need you to “update your address” on some sketchy link.

#7

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#8

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#9

Image credits: olambie

The long and short of it is, don’t click on any links you aren’t sure about. Unfortunately, while most emails will flag suspicious, unsolicited messages, scammers have taken to hacking or impersonating people on social media, then using this trust to get people to click on dangerous links.

#10

Image credits: brirydernyc

#11 Funny Scam Texts

Image credits: Reeeeee-420-69

#12 Short And Sweet (I Really Need To Stop Coming On So Strong But It’s So Hard Not To Lol)

Image credits: monsterhighbaby

This particular strategy is called phishing. In short, the idea is to trick or manipulate a person into clicking a link to a visually harmless website, which in fact allows them to access sensitive information. Sometimes the goal is simply identity fraud, but it’s also been used in larger ransomware attacks, where institutions such as banks and hospitals are blackmailed.

#13 Tired Of These Text Scammers

Image credits: scr1mblo

#14 Here's My Favorite Interaction With A Scammer So Far

Image credits: StrongestMushroom

#15

Image credits: bloggospow

Sometimes, the cybersecurity teams of larger organizations will even test how likely their employees are to fall to phishing attempts. They will make fake emails and attempt to solicit clicks or information from workers. So if you have had to sit through a cybersecurity seminar at your workplace, there is a solid chance it’s because someone did not pass this test.

#16 Being Nice To The Scammers

Image credits: gummaumma

#17 Funniest Scam I've Ever Gotten

Image credits: S-S_Snatcher

#18 Free Wine

Image credits: supernovameagan

Fortunately, avoiding phishing just means not clicking on a link. As with so many other things in life, just think twice, or even thrice if you have time. Even if the source seems legitimate, try to get confirmation through a third party. If your IT manager is emailing you to “reset your password,” perhaps text them or, even better, ask them in person if it’s really them.

#19 Confused Scammer Had To Start The Script Over

Image credits: Chernobylpu

#20 Gave Them The Number Of Another Scammer

Image credits: Explains_Wrong

#21 Sometimes I Get Started Just Right

Image credits: zonewebb

And even when the source seems legitimate, always think about the questions you are being asked. Most companies don’t randomly start asking you for your banking or credit card information unless you are literally making a purchase. There are almost no cases where anyone will ever need your login information.

#22 One Shot

Image credits: 5nication

#23 Felt Like Messing With A Spammer

Image credits: Jolly_Conflict

#24 This One Really Cracked Me Up

Image credits: hornets16

Similarly, no one at Google, Apple, or Microsoft will call you over a “virus” on your device. They do not have the time and inclination to fix it even if there is legitimate malware on your computer. Similarly, too-good-to-be-true “investment opportunities” simply do not exist. These are just scams.

#25 I Am Not Happy

Image credits: occamsracer

#26

Image credits: mikeleake

#27 Curry Quest

Image credits: Triceradoc_MD

It’s not that there aren’t stocks that are underappreciated out there, but, realistically, if a broker or analyst did find one, they would probably approach a significantly more wealthy person and not through random cold calls. In other words, would you really take financial advice from a random internet stranger? If yes, I have some plots of land on the Moon to sell you.

#28

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#29

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#30 I Can't Tell What The End Game Of These Random Texts Are. I've Stopped Caring And Gotten Creative

Image credits: stopmakingsmells

So in all things, better safe than sorry. While it can be fun to mess with a scammer, it’s probably best to avoid all possible risks. Never divulge information online, don’t click on strange links and always remember that tech support will never need to be “paid” in gift cards. If you want to see more, similar content, Bored Panda has got you covered, check out our previous article on this topic.