Scams have been around for centuries and have evolved with the times. Many modern deceptions are tech-based, with thieves worldwide extorting innocent people from their phones and computers. Unfortunately, these scams are all too prevalent in survivalist circles.
You can encounter numerous scams daily, whether checking email at work, scrolling through social media or answering the door when someone knocks. With so many scams, preparing for what might come for you is essential.
Here’s a guide on identifying and avoiding scammers who come for good-hearted preppers like you and me.
What Scams Are Common in Survival Circles?
Scams range in severity depending on the person behind the scheme. Some people scam by soliciting money from you only not to deliver the product or use the cash for good intentions. Others deceive you into buying products you receive but aren’t up to par with your expectations. Let’s cover a range of deception with these seven scams.
1. Survivalist Food
Food is one of the most critical parts of the survivalist lifestyle. You need a steady food supply in case SHTF scenarios arrive and the grocery stores are inaccessible. Shelf-stable food is best because it lasts long if you store it properly. Unfortunately, some survivalist companies take advantage of this necessity by selling you food with questionable quality.
These businesses generally don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they have more freedom to sell faulty products. For example, their packaging may be shoddy, or the expiration date is shorter than the label says. The nutrition facts may be inaccurate, claiming their products are high in protein — in reality, it’s much lower.
It’s best to purchase food from reputable companies the FDA regulates because you’ll have more certainty about the accuracy. Most of these businesses have tight procedures to ensure safety with the packaging and shelf life.
[Editor’s note: This may very well be true of third-party sellers online. Stick with the truly reputable ones, like Augason Farms and Mountain House and you should be fine.]
2. Gold and Silver
Some companies pander to preppers by centering on global events to sell their products. For example, they’ll reference the Russian invasion of Ukraine and financial market uncertainty as reasons to invest your life savings into gold and silver. These precious metals aren’t inherently scams, but the sellers can run scams surrounding them.
Gold and silver have their purpose for preppers because they’re easy to trade in any country and durable in most weather conditions. Plus, being lightweight makes them easy to carry. However, you should beware of gold and silver scams in survivalist communities.
A seller may pressure you into investing in gold and silver by telling you the price will skyrocket, making now the perfect time to buy. Projecting what will happen in the markets is nearly impossible, so don’t believe a salesperson when they say they can predict the future.
Additionally, the gold and silver dealer may be unregulated, meaning they don’t have to follow the laws that accredited institutions do. Investing with them is extremely risky because getting your money back is more difficult when you find out they’re a scammer.
In 2020, prosecutors charged two men with defrauding investors by inflating the price of gold up to 300% above its actual value. They told people the stock market was about to crash worse than in 2008, and the government planned to seize money in individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
If you wish to invest, purchase gold and silver from a reputable company. Use research tools like the Better Business Bureau to decipher who is legitimate, then carefully watch your metals’ price before investing.
[We hear of these types of scams on occasion because scammers know that preppers invest in gold in silver AND because we’re often attempting to prepare–sometimes at lighting speed–doing so makes us vulnerable. That is, we can fall for scams just like everyone else. For instance, I keep seeing more and more YouTubers who tout specific gold and silver companies. While these companies may certainly be legitimate, you really must do your due diligence no matter who says they’re good, even little ‘ol me.]
3. Phishing
Phishing attacks are the most common internet crime in the United States, with over 320,000 reported incidents in 2021. Scammers use this tactic in all industries, and they have infiltrated survivalist circles.
For example, fraudsters may create a website claiming to sell survivalist gear and emergency supplies. They offer fantastic deals on knives, first-aid kits and various training materials, but the business is illegitimate. In reality, the site’s purchasing procedure is a phishing scam to steal your credit card and bank account information.
Phishing may also occur in emails, surveys or community forums. Someone may create a survivalist discussion board to get members to share their personal information. Ultimately, the fraudster exploits the information for their gain.
[Editor’s note: It’s not just phishing scams. For instance, I’ve have my own online survival course for years, and there are occasionally other vendors trying to get me to promote their course or whatever it is they’re selling, though I never do; they’re internet marketers at their core and nothing more. Sadly, while some of their products may be of use, these people are really only in it for the money, happy to feed on our fears. Beware to whom you listen.]
4. Fake Charities
After a natural disaster, charitable organizations and volunteers will arrive in the affected areas to provide relief. Many are hardworking, honest people who want to help others, but others run fake charities. These people may go door-to-door to solicit donations to help the most vulnerable during this time. However, the money doesn’t end up in the right place.
Unfortunately, scammers don’t let catastrophic storms stop their pursuit. After Hurricane Katrina, numerous fake charities appeared and solicited donations from people. They attempted to appear legitimate by putting Katrina or charity in their domain name.
5. Phony Contractors
Natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina devastate homes no matter how well preppers fortify their property. When it hit land, Katrina exceeded 175 mph winds and caused over $108 billion in damage to the affected communities. The level of these disasters requires much work for contractors and opens the door for impersonators.
Scamming contractors go door-to-door offering services to people with damaged homes — a welcome sight for desperate homeowners who may have difficulty finding a contractor with an opening. However, these contractors might not have your best interest at heart. They’ll require you to give them a non-refundable deposit only to do shoddy work. Then they skip town, and you never hear from them again.
[Editor’s note: I hear this is especially prone of roofing contractors and fire restoration services, which is why it’s prudent to have these types of companies lined up in advance should the need arise.]
6. Fake FEMA Representatives
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the government’s arm for supporting disaster-affected areas. After disasters, they’ll provide monetary assistance to residents by covering home repairs and granting them temporary housing during cleanup. They also train your community to prepare for disasters. Unfortunately, some people impersonate these representatives.
Imagine a natural disaster has occurred, and you’re sitting by the phone waiting for contact from a FEMA representative. An impersonator may call and claim to have money ready to award you, leading them to solicit your bank account information.
In the 2020s, you must also be aware of scams through social media and online banking apps. FEMA has warned that scammers may solicit your Cash App information and social security number.
7. Questionable SHTF Victims
Sometimes, scammers have believable stories, making it hard to decipher what’s real. Imagine a powerful tornado devastates a town, leaving many residents with financial hardships. One homeowner says the tornado destroyed their house and all their belongings. They ask for donations, but their story isn’t real.
The scammer leveraged social media to post a fake story about being a storm victim, stealing photos from real destroyed houses. However, most donors don’t question the legitimacy because it’s uncommon for someone to stoop so low. It’s essential for preppers to help each other after SHTF disasters, but you should be cautious when you see these kinds of stories.
What Are the Most Common Characteristics of Scammers?
The world of scammers has been rampant in the last couple of decades and is only growing with technology. You may see numerous kinds of scams in survivalist circles, but you’ll notice these five common characteristics among these cons.
Urgency
One of the fastest ways to see through a scammer is their urgency. For example, someone may email or text you and claim they need a specific amount of money by Friday. Bad things will happen, and it’ll be your fault. Don’t trust somebody if they rush or pressure you into a decision.
Emotional Manipulation
Emotional manipulation is a common marketing tactic companies use daily. For example, animal shelters may use images of struggling cats and dogs to lure you into donating. Scammers use similar tactics when trying to deceive you.
In survivalist communities, scammers manipulate by emphasizing the risk of SHTF scenarios, such as economic collapse and world wars. While the risk exists, it’s essential to remember they’re only bringing up these scenarios to scare you into buying their products. The gold and silver scams are a terrific example of this tactic.
Spelling Errors
Authentic companies have experienced marketing teams with excellent grammar and spelling skills. However, scammers didn’t always get the highest grades in their English classes. Texts and emails with frequent spelling errors are a sign the message comes from a scammer.
Overpromising
Sometimes, a story sounds too good to be true. A scammer may say, “If you buy gold today, it will appreciate by 250% by the end of the year, making you rich.” If making money were that easy, we’d all be wealthy. Unfortunately, the fraudster is overpromising to make a sale.
Lacking References
When somebody offers services to you, it doesn’t hurt to ask for references. Refusing to answer this request raises red flags because authentic businesses and contractors will gladly oblige. Fraudsters will try to change the subject or provide bogus testimonials about their past work.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Scammers?
You might not encounter scams often, but they’re costly when they happen. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports consumers lost almost $9 billion in 2022 thanks to fraud. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so use these four ways to protect yourself from scammers.
Research
Avoiding scams starts with research. Due diligence is necessary to determine what companies and individuals are legitimate and which are scammers seeking your money. Even worse, they could be after your social security number, credit card information and other sensitive records. Ensure the business is legitimate before proceeding any further with contact.
Once you’ve determined the legitimacy, dig further to see their business practices and customer testimonials. Social media is an excellent place to start because you’ll find good and bad reviews. Trustworthy businesses don’t go out of their way to hide negative comments on Facebook and Twitter — instead, they politely address the concerns on these public forums.
When researching, you may come across concerns with the person or business. In this instance, don’t be afraid to ask questions. For example, if a contractor comes to your house, ask for proof they’re allowed to work in the area. Allowing them to work without insurance could leave you liable for damage if something goes wrong.
Smart Cybersecurity Practices
Internet scams are more prevalent nowadays because we rely on technology for work, school and other priorities. Your phone or tablet may be the easiest place to fall for a scam because one wrong click suddenly compromises your information. Strengthen your internet presence with these cybersecurity practices:
- Updating software: This tip may seem simple, but updating your software goes a long way in protection. Scammers target vulnerabilities in software that companies address with patches. Outdated software could hang you out to dry for scammers.
- Antivirus protection: Sometimes, you may accidentally click on a link you tried to avoid. (Tiny phone screens and big thumbs don’t mix well). The best safeguard against scammers is antivirus protection. This software works around the clock to protect your devices from theft.
Securing Your Information
Selling a faulty product and stealing money is often only one part of the equation. The scammers mostly want your sensitive records and will try any means to get them. Combat the scammers by securing your information.
For example, suppose a contractor calls you after a torrential hurricane. A legitimate business wouldn’t ask for your bank account information or social security number over the phone. Using the same vigilance with emails and text messages is also wise. Only divulge this information with trusted people, businesses and websites.
Reporting Scams
Ignoring scammers is a solid way to protect yourself and your family. However, you can take the extra step and alert your friends and neighbors about scams so they know what’s out there. If the scammers come for you, your loved ones could be next. Flag suspicious activity and ask if your fellow preppers have encountered a similar scheme.
You could also wield the power of the internet and report scams online. The FTC has a page designated for reporting fraud, helping law enforcement to know where the scams originate.
Protecting Yourself From Fraud
The survivalist community is full of good-hearted people who want to support each other during the most tumultuous times. However, some fraudsters exploit us preppers by exploiting emotions, fear-mongering and shoddy business practices.
Protecting yourself from fraud is essential, so use this guide to identify and avoid common scams.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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