ESCANABA — The days of the traditional snake oil salesman are gone, but a worthy substitution has taken its place in online scams.

Online scammers have the entire internet at their disposal and countless potential victims to choose from.

Scammers will try various tactics to swoon money from unknowing victims or even corporations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified multiple scam tactics and several involve the use of the internet.

Two common methods used are spoofing and phishing; spoofing refers to an individual that is disguising themselves as a legitimate source by altering an email address, sender name, number or website. Scammers will typically change one or two letters, hoping the victim doesn’t notice.

According to the FBI, “criminals count on being able to manipulate you into believing that these spoofed communications are real, which can lead you to download malicious software, send money, or disclose personal, financial, or other sensitive information.”

Phishing is a bait and switch tactic that implements spoofing techniques to lure people in and take the bait. A phishing scam typically begins with an email sent from a business or corporation that looks completely real. The directions may ask an individual to update their information by visiting their website.

Once clicked or replied you will be taken (or lured) to a website that may look identical to the official website, but it is actually a spoofed website. These spoofed sites may look like your bank or credit card company and they will ask for sensitive and identifying information such as passwords, personal identification number, Social Security number and more.

“These fake websites are used solely to steal your information,” according to the FBI.

Delta County Sheriff Ed Oswald noted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as an accurate source for assessing scams.

The FTC found that social media scams started “on social media accounted for the highest total losses at $1.4 billion – an increase of 250 million from 2022. But scams that started by a phone call caused the highest per-person loss ($1,480 average loss).”

Notably, younger adults (20-29) reported losing more money more often than older adults (70 and older). However when older adults did lose money, they lost the most.

Oswald addressed these scams, saying they are avoidable and that the community should look out for one another.

“It’s sad to see these preventable scams year after year, please do your best to not fall victim. Also, closely watch the elderly population you have contact with so they will not fall victim to these scams,” Oswald said.