Trolling Scammers Trend Could Be 'Dangerous'

As scammers become increasingly prevalent online and via text and phone calls, some people have decided to fight back and 'troll' the scammer, and Newsweek spoke to five experts about whether or not trolling them is a good idea and what the risks of it might be.

In new videos circulating online, would-be victims come out against their attempted scammers and troll them for fun.

Why It Matters

Americans lose billions of dollars each year to scammers, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting roughly $8.8 billion was stolen due to fraud during 2022 alone.

What To Know

The scams can take on a variety of formats, but in recent months, some social media users have been pushing back against the alleged fraudsters.

In one viral video, TikTok user @TheaFryknas engages with an alleged scammer over a phone call.

When he asked what her card number and her name were, she returned with an on-air voice and said, "It's 3, 2, 1... Good evening. We are live on television right now with an investigation into scam callers. We have the FBI on the line. They are tracking this phone number as we speak. Sir, what is your full name again?"

When the scammer immediately hangs up, the TikTok user is shown laughing.

Thousands of people commented on the video, with one writing: "girlll I know he was STRESSING," and another who said, "He didn't sleep for days."

In another video, TikTok user @ZarTheStarComedy speaks to a different alleged scammer on the phone.

When the caller tells her his name is "Anderson Parker from Global Services," she plays along and trolls him with, "That's such a beautiful name."

He responds: "Yeah, it's an Irish name. I'm from Ireland. I got $10,000 and I want to gift it to you. All I need is your Social Security number and your credit card number so that I can deposit it."

Fully aware of the scam, the content creator said: "Oh my god. $10,000? Irish people are so nice... Oh my god, I don't know what I did to deserve this. My life has been so hard. My ex-boyfriend cheated on me with a crackhead and I don't even know why he would do that. I'm actually really hot. Do you have an email? I'll show you a picture of myself. I'm really hot."

After this, the caller said it was "so sad to hear" and once again inquired about her Social Security number.

When @ZarTheStarComedy responded by asking once again for his email, he responded with, "I have a wife." When she offers to get him a green card, he provides his name, which she says is Indian.

When the scammer continues to ask for her Social Security number, the TikToker continues trolling, asking him to sing a Bollywood song.

Viewers enjoyed watching the fraudster be trolled by his would-be victim.

One comment on the video read, "The way he folded when you offered him a green card," while another wrote, "This is making me want to answer the scam calls now just to mess with them."

Is it Safe to Talk to a Scammer Online?

While incidents like these are being recorded and uploaded online more frequently, some may have safety concerns about engaging with a scammer.

Some finance experts say there's little to lose if you troll a scammer, as long as you keep all your sensitive information to yourself.

This includes your name, Social Security number, credit card or bank account information or any other information that can be linked to your money or identity.

"Is it safe? The better question might be: Is it safer to be a victim or to fight back?" Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek. "I see no issue with people reclaiming their power against a corrupt system—especially when the systems in place fail to protect them... People should know that they can equip themselves, refuse to be easy targets, and even turn the tables on scammers. It's about taking back control, staying informed, and not allowing these bad actors to manipulate your life."

Still, if you do engage with a scammer, there's a possibility that you could slip up and end up revealing information about yourself. Due to this, some cybercrime experts recommend blocking immediately when you figure out that you're being targeted.

''Scammer payback' was traditionally carried out by those with strong cybersecurity skills," Truman Kain, offensive security researcher at Huntress, told Newsweek.

"Recently, trolling scammers has become more common, with calls recorded and posted on social media for entertainment. While it may be cathartic to 'troll' the scammers by wasting their time, it's best not to engage. The risks outweigh the pros. Not only will the scammers know that your phone number is live, you may become more of a target for them. Unless you feel comfortable becoming a specific target of scammers, it's best not to engage."

How to Know When You're Talking to a Scammer

There are a variety of signs that you might be dealing with a scammer, whether you're dealing with a text, phone call, or email.

Most scams are identifiable as suspicious messages claiming that the would-be victim either needs to pay a certain amount of money immediately or risk legal punishment. Or, in some cases, scammers ask for a small amount to pay something like an unpaid toll or offer a large sum award if the user shares their Social Security or bank account number.

The key theme is that they ask for your information or send a suspicious link and have a sense of urgency about getting you to share this information quickly.

What People Are Saying

Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek: "Scammers are becoming more brazen, and I applaud those who fight back. The videos of scammers being called out by name or having their own technology reverse-engineered are much needed in today's digital world. This is becoming increasingly common as people learn from others how to use technology as a defense against these ever-growing scamming campaigns."

Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "There's no denying that watching someone on social media playing around with scammers is enjoyable. People who have been targeted through past scams can get some joy out of seeing roles reversed and the hassler becoming the hassled. However, in general, it's a practice you want to avoid. As amusing as it may be to annoy a scammer, you have to remember the goal of the individual doing the scamming is to get information on you. If in the process of toying with a scammer you slip up and give a small piece of data on yourself they can use, the exchange goes from being comedic to dangerous. The best option is to always block a scammer the minute they attempt to get in contact with you."

Sharon Blatt Cohen, Head of Marketing at Guardio, told Newsweek: "One positive aspect of this trend is that it serves as an engaging and entertaining way to educate people about how scams work. Watching scam-baiters in action exposes common scam tactics, helping viewers recognize red flags and protect themselves. When learning about cybersecurity feels entertaining rather than intimidating, it reaches more people and makes them more likely to stay alert."

What Happens Next

The movement for trolling scammers is gaining traction as more users share their experiences and techniques online.

However, experts warn that attempting to troll or scam a scammer does carry some risks.

"While it might seem fun or satisfying to turn the tables on scammers, it's important to remember that these individuals are often part of organized cybercrime operations," Blatt Cohen said. "Some may react aggressively and attempt to manipulate the situation further. Engaging with them can be risky, and what starts as a joke could escalate into identity theft or harassment."