Scam Artists

The emotional toll of cybercrime and identity theft visualized

A recent Gen study revealed that 58% of American and British people surveyed believe they could be vulnerable to cybercrime. Yet, almost half (45%) still think it’s unlikely to happen to them. As a result, cyber protection becomes an afterthought for many.

Scam Artists showcases, through creative artwork, the negative effects of cybercrime on the feelings and emotions of three victims, and the positive impact on wellbeing that cyber protection offers. In collaboration with award-winning psychologist Lee Chambers, the campaign shines a light on the inherent human instincts that often result in complacent behavior regarding digital safety. In doing so, it aims to help people recognize the need to be proactive about online protection to maintain control, confidence and freedom in the digital world.

How one woman found herself in debt she didn’t create

Lynn Beattie’s life was turned upside down when a random package she had not ordered arrived at her doorstep. After some digging, she realized an account had been set up in her name where eight items had been ordered. All the identity thieves needed to steal her identity was her name, address and date of birth.

Life savings gone—How a woman lost all her money to a scam

It all started with a text. Moya recalls, “The phishing text definitely wasn’t particularly sophisticated—if it hadn’t arrived late at night, I don’t think I’d have fallen for it. But that was a key part of what made the scam so clever.”

The toll of a phishing scam on a small business owner

The scammers hacked into the business owner’s PayPal account, stealing his money, personal details, and peace of mind. Phishing emails don’t just target individuals, they target businesses too. They seem unavoidable as they continue to be a well-used tool by scammers worldwide—leading victims to feel particularly vulnerable.

Cyberthreats today are bigger, more widespread, and more sophisticated than ever before, and they are here to stay. Last year Gen blocked more than 14 billion attacks. We’re focused on helping people to feel confident engaging with the digital world with solutions that help protect against evolving and emerging threats.

Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer