Oh, South Dakota. Land of Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, and apparently now, where millennials are getting scammed left, right and center. According to Sioux Falls’ finest, the Better Business Bureau, our tech-savvy youngsters are falling prey to scams more often than their wiser, older counterparts. The times, they are a-changin’.
Let’s get one thing straight. These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill, “you’ve just won a million-dollar lottery in Uzbekistan” scams. No siree, Bob. The modern scammer is more sophisticated, targeting the very aspect of millennials’ lives: their reliance on technology. Take employment scams, for instance.
Picture this. You’re a bright-eyed, ambitious young whipper-snapper, scrolling through social media feeds between Fortnite games. Suddenly, a wild job offer appears. Not just any job, a home-based job. The kind that lets you work in pajamas, while binging on Netflix. But wait! There’s a catch. You’ve got to send money for specialized equipment. Seems legit, right?
Well, spoiler alert: it’s not. Like that time Uncle Jerry tried to convince everyone he was starting a burgeoning emu farm, it’s just too good to be true. The young ‘uns don’t see a dime of that money again.
Now, don’t think the scammers stop at employment. Oh no! They’re also lurking in the shadows of online purchases, cryptocurrency, rental agreements, and investment schemes. They’re as versatile as a Swiss Army knife. Clever, if it wasn’t so despicable.
“But surely, there’s some sort of official hiring process for these jobs?” I hear you say, clutching your pearls in confusion. Fantastic point, dear reader. There should be. Legitimate companies will guide you through a proper hiring process, and provide any equipment or training you might need. They won’t ask you for money upfront. If they do? Run, Forrest, Run!
So, what can we take away from this? Aside from establishing that millennials in South Dakota are getting scammed more than their grandma, it’s a timely reminder for everyone. Be cautious on the internet. Don’t send money to online strangers. And remember, if a job offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Just ask Uncle Jerry and his non-existent emu farm.