I
n the digital age, scammers are getting craftier. They're using advanced technology to trick people into handing over their personal info or parting with their hard-earned cash. The FBI's 2023 internet crime report paints a grim picture: a record number of complaints and financial losses.

    For Devin Todd Ramsey, a real estate agent in Madison County, Kentucky, the scammers are all too familiar. She's seen her fair share of fake posts on Facebook, but what really got her attention was when she fell victim to one herself. "I had just closed on a property sale, and I found photos of my listing online saying it was available for rent," she recalled. "It was infuriating."

    The scammers are targeting vacant properties, using stolen photos to convince victims to send deposits before taking off with the cash. But phishing is the most common scam, where scammers trick people into providing sensitive info like passwords or bank pins.

    Todd Ramsey recently came across a suspicious job posting on Facebook that seemed too good to be true: $20-$40 an hour for a data entry clerk with no employer listed and a request to message through personal chat. She reported it immediately, but she knows many victims don't see the red flags until it's too late.

    That's why Todd Ramsey created an online job board specifically for Richmond and Berea, where people can find direct links to legitimate job sources. "I want to be a resource for my community," she said.

    If you're looking for ways to avoid scams, Facebook offers some guidance: watch out for messages from strangers or famous people asking for money, or those claiming to be friends in need of emergency help. Be wary of poor spelling and grammar, urgent requests to log in to your account, or accounts with no friends or profile photo.

    You can report scams through the Better Business Bureau or search for legitimate job sources on Todd Ramsey's online board. Stay vigilant – your personal info is worth it.