We hear the same messages from large tech companies and security specialists all the time. Don't click on links from unknown and untrusted sources, and don't fall for over-the-phone scams. Many banks and other companies never send links in email in order to "train" us in being cyber smart.

But every now and then, companies do dumb things that leave us scratching our heads. Like what Microsoft did with a friend of mine earlier this week.

Late yesterday I received a strange text from "PayPal" informing me that a payment for $999.99 had just been declined. It looks like we might have a new scam on our hands.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released their annual Targeting scams report as they kick off Scam Awareness Week. They found that more people than ever are being scammed and that the amount of money we're losing is up on previous years with the average loss pegged at $6500.

As we've noted many times, Amazon is cluttered with fake reviews, and it takes work to sift through them. BuzzFeed dives deep into the economy of these fake reviews, which includes a subreddit tragically named /r/slavelabour. (The name is kind of a joke, but a very sad and true one.) The whole piece is just as depressing, as it basically spells out how utterly doomed Amazon reviews are.

A short-lived and relatively unknown cryptocurrency project built on Ethereum called Prodeum disappeared this weekend - along with the money a small number of hapless investors sunk into it. All that remained of its website was a white page with the word "penis" written on it.

Spotting a fake app is usually pretty easy, but that hasn't stopped hackers and scammers from trying to trick us. The latest example is a pair of fake Telegram apps that look and work just like the real thing, but bombard you with ads to make extra money.

Despite the influx of dating apps that have exploded onto the scene, Tinder is still the app of choice for meeting potential lovers today. The problem is the app has become a feeding ground for scammers creating fake profiles solely for the purpose of extracting money from users. Here are some tips to help you weed out the fakers on Tinder.

At some point, we've all been contacted by a Nigerian prince, long-lost uncle, or some guy that just can't manage to get a bank account with the promise that if we just make one small wire transfer we'll have millions in our account by morning.

Video: If you've ever tried to win that super big stuffed animal for your sweetheart at the ring toss and just ended up embarrassing yourself, it's possible that you've long suspected that carnival games are rigged. It won't win you any prizes, but this video explains the mechanics of exactly how you're taken for a ride.

Amazon's business is booming and a move into Australia is planned, but scams from fraudulent third-party sellers are on the rise. Here's how you can shop safely and avoid buying a big ol' box of nothin'.

You'd think that programmers would be more savvy about online scams than your average computer user and that's likely true. Even so, Google felt it wise to contact Web Store developers about a current "phishing campaign" aimed right at them.

Let's talk about buying pets online. It isn't a terrible idea, if you can avoid the flood of online scammers waiting to take your money without handing over a puppy. If you're really set on a specific breed or don't have a shelter near you, keep these tips in mind so you don't get taken advantage of.

A ton of fake GoFundMe donation pages were set up for the family of Robert Godwin Sr earlier this week after he was murdered in the US. It's a nasty trick, no doubt, but this isn't the first time scammers have preyed upon sympathetic contributors, and it won't be the last. Here's how to spot the fake campaigns before you throw your money away.

With a little know-how, most phishing scams are pretty easy to detect. This one, on the other hand, is devilishly clever and just might dupe you if you're not careful.

It's easy to get caught up in the craziness of the holidays. You have parties to plan, cards to send, and gifts to buy, and that can be a lot to squeeze into just a few weeks. Don't let the stress cloud your better judgment. Watch out for these scams that prey on holiday shoppers.

They say a sucker is born every minute, but shady businesses are good at convincing you you're a genius, not a sucker, for giving them your money. Many of these outfits prey on people want to improve their finances, which adds insult to injury. You know to stay away from Nigerian princes, but there are some less obvious, perfectly legal scams people fall for all the time.

I got one of the sadly frequent scam calls the other day from "Windows Consumer care", telling me about a "serious problem" with my computer. Rather than angrily hang up, I kept the call going as long as possible. Here's why.

Phone scammers pretending to be from Microsoft/Telstra/whoever to scam information and infect your computer are parasites, criminals and public nuisances. If you have the time to spare, keeping them on the line as long as possible is an easy way to improve the world for everybody.

Tech support scams often come in the form of annoying pop-up adds that claims your computer is busted or infected by some awful virus that you can fix by calling a dodgy phone number. These kinds of scams aren't new but now scammers can make it look like there's really something wrong with your computer, making them much more convincing. Here's what you need to know.