Nicholas Bowers

The Online Scam I Encountered and What It Taught Me About Digital Ethics

One of the most memorable scams I’ve personally encountered was a fake shipping refund email that claimed to be from Amazon. The message looked extremely convincing it used Amazon’s logo, similar wording, and even a near-identical layout. The email said I had been overcharged for a recent order and that I could “claim my refund” by clicking a link. The purpose of this scam was clear: the scammers wanted me to enter my login information on a fake page so they could steal my Amazon account and possibly my financial information.

What made it work was how realistic the message looked. The link led to a website that looked exactly like Amazon’s login page, except the URL was slightly different. This small detail is one of the easiest ways scammers trick people they rely on people clicking quickly without double-checking the address bar or questioning why a company would message them in the first place.

Looking back, there were several ways I could have determined the message was fake:

  • Checking the sender’s email address, it wasn’t from an official Amazon domain.
  • Hovering over the link, the URL didn’t match Amazon’s actual website.
  • Going to my Amazon account independently, no refund notifications were listed.

Understanding scams like this helps people protect themselves. The more aware we are of digital manipulation, the easier it becomes to slow down, verify sources, and avoid falling for something designed to take advantage of us.

nbower

8 responses to “The Online Scam I Encountered and What It Taught Me About Digital Ethics”

  1. Andrew Avatar
    Andrew

    Very good writing Nicholas.

    Reply
    1. nbower Avatar
      nbower

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. AB Avatar
    AB

    Your post is a great reminder that digital ethics isn’t just about how companies behave, but also about cultivating awareness and caution as users. I’ll definitely be more vigilant with my own emails and online activity after reading this.
    The example you shared really shows how sophisticated scams can be. Those small details, like the slightly altered URL, can easily trick us. I also appreciate the practical tips you listed, checking the sender, hovering over links, and logging in independently are simple but effective ways to stay safe online.

    Reply
    1. nbower Avatar
      nbower

      Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! You’re absolutely right digital ethics is a two-way street. Companies need to behave responsibly, but as users, we also have to stay aware of how easily we can be misled online. Scammers are getting more sophisticated every year, and it’s those tiny details, like a URL that’s almost correct, that make these schemes so convincing.

      Reply
  3. Brady Avatar
    Brady

    Good job looking out for those scams. These scammers are up to no good with their new tricks every year! Be on the lookout!

    Reply
    1. nbower Avatar
      nbower

      Thank you, I’m always on the lookout for possible scams.

      Reply
  4. Scotty B Avatar
    Scotty B

    This is exactly why people need to stop clicking blindly. Scammers rely on our inattention, and your tips, checking the sender, hovering over links, logging in directly, are the bare minimum everyone should be doing. Awareness isn’t optional; it’s essential. Thanks for sharing, great info!

    Reply
    1. nbower Avatar
      nbower

      Thank you! I completely agree, so many scams work simply because people are rushed or not paying close attention. It’s wild how convincing some of these messages can look, and that’s exactly why slowing down and double-checking the basics is so important.

      Reply

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