What Online Scams Look Like Today
The Age of Technology and Convenience
We live in a world driven by technology and fueled by convenience. Shopping online, signing up for services, and downloading apps has become easier than ever. With just a few clicks, we enter personal details—our name, address, phone number, and credit card info—into forms and platforms. Meanwhile, scammers exploit these digital habits to steal identities and infiltrate bank accounts.
Carelessness Fuels Cybercrime
Online scams are everywhere. Nevertheless, many people still handle their personal information carelessly. Cybercriminals hack email and social media accounts, install malware on devices, and harvest sensitive data with alarming efficiency. As a result, victims often face financial loss and emotional stress.
The 419 Email Scam
Most people recognize the infamous “Nigerian prince” email scam. If you’ve ever had an email address, chances are you’ve received a message from someone claiming to be a wealthy widow or royal figure offering millions—provided that you share your full name, address, social security number, and a passport photo.
Unfortunately, many individuals, especially seniors, fall for these scams and lose their life savings or retirement funds. In contrast, younger users tend to ignore such messages, but no one is immune to more sophisticated phishing tactics.
Work-from-Home Scams
The promise of earning money from home is tempting. Scam sites often advertise easy tasks like surveys, typing, or data entry—but they demand registration fees or offer absurdly high payouts. For example, a site might claim you’ll earn $500 for completing a five-minute form.
To avoid falling victim, watch for red flags. Legitimate opportunities rarely require upfront payments or make unrealistic promises. Instead, they offer clear terms, transparent pay structures, and verifiable contact information.
Ransomware: The FBI Block Virus
Ransomware attacks have surged, with the FBI Block virus leading the charge. This malware hides inside downloads or apps, then locks the device and displays a threatening message. Specifically, victims see warnings accusing them of illegal activity—like viewing child pornography—and are told to pay for an unlock code.
Because of this, fear drives many to pay, hoping to avoid legal trouble, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. Moreover, the psychological manipulation behind these scams makes them especially dangerous.
Stay Vigilant Online
Online scams evolve constantly. Therefore, protecting yourself requires ongoing awareness and smart habits:
- First, download apps only from trusted developers and official stores
- Second, verify websites before entering personal or financial information
- Third, invest in reliable antivirus and anti-malware software
- Finally, stay skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true
About the author
Troy Warren’s “National Independent Restaurant Alliance” — Another Layer in the RATE$BATES Pyramid?
Troy Warren’s “NIRA - National Partnership” — Another Layer in the RATE$BATES Pyramid? October 2025 brought a new announcement from Troy Warren’s Local City Places, promoted through a paid press release service (EINPresswire) and syndicated to local media pages like WANE.com. The release introduced the so-called National Independent Restaurant Alliance (NIRA), described as a nationwide advocacy organization for independent restaurants. But closer inspection suggests NIRA may exist only on paper — created and controlled by the same marketing operation behind RATE$BATES and $CASH$BATES. In the announcement, Local City Places positioned itself as “the grassroots local network” powering NIRA’s city-level presence. The release used phrases like “national advocacy,” “economic leverage,” and “organizational support” — all designed to give the impression of a large, structured alliance. Yet there is no independent website, registration, or public leadership record confirming NIRA as a legitimate […]
Troy Warren Free Merchant Website Program Explained – Do Not Give Upfront Fees
Be Careful- Why Troy Warren’s “Free Websites” Pitch Deserves a Closer Look - Do not give Upfront Fees Upfront-fees in exchange for the Troy Warren Free Merchant Website program is being promoted as a breakthrough opportunity for small-business owners and sponsors alike. It promises free websites, ongoing commissions, and “six-figure potential.” But when you strip away the nostalgia and urgency, the mechanics look far more like a multi-level marketing structure than a true small-business solution. 1. The Setup: Nostalgia as credibility bait The email opens with a long memory-lane story about an early 1990s/1998 project to establish authority. That story is used to imply the sender has repeatable “magic” — a common tactic to transfer trust from past success to a new offer. Historical anecdotes can be real, but they’re also easy to use as credibility theater. 2. The […]
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is Doomed
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is DoomedSide-by-Side ComparisonFeatureTroy Warren’s “LOCAL City Places”Yelp / Google Maps / NextdoorBusiness Data QualityPlaceholder names like “Burgers Test Restaurant” with fake numbers (555-xxxx). Some listings use completely mismatched photos (restaurants showing shoes).Verified businesses with accurate names, real addresses, and phone numbers directly tied to the merchant.User Reviews“No reviews yet” across the board, despite promises of “steady activity.”Millions of active reviews across every major category. Trusted by both consumers and businesses.ImagesStock photos, irrelevant uploads, or generic placeholders.Real customer photos, verified merchant uploads, and street-view integration.FunctionalityListings don’t connect to any live traffic, ordering, or customer engagement.Deep integration with maps, ordering platforms, reservations, and real community discussions.MonetizationRecruit-to-earn schemes and “city host” licenses. The platform itself has no organic merchant value.Real ad platforms where businesses pay for visibility because the audience is there.Trust & CredibilityFake phone […]
Eats Fleet comes with the same wave of press release hype
The Rise (and Reinvention) of “Eats Fleet” If you follow local food delivery experiments in the Valley, you may have noticed a curious trend: the cycle of flashy new platforms that appear out of nowhere, make bold promises, and then quietly fade away. First, there was Local City Places, a concept that claimed it would revolutionize the way communities connected with small businesses. That platform never took off. Then came Local City Eats, a supposed hub for restaurant promotions and discounts. Despite the enthusiasm in its marketing, it too has struggled to gain meaningful traction. Now, there’s a new name on the horizon: Eats Fleet. According to press releases, Eats Fleet aims to be a “game changer” for both restaurants and delivery drivers in Phoenix. The pitch is familiar: a system that helps local eateries reach customers while providing drivers […]
CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: $CASH$BATES$, CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards Executive Summary The $CASH$BATES$ program, operated by CityPressMedia, Inc. and fronted by entrepreneur Troy Warren, originally promised users payouts via a branded debit card. The company has now pivoted to promoting an unregulated "eWallet" platform that allegedly supports ACH transfers, virtual debit cards compatible with Apple/Google Pay, push-to-card payouts, and even cryptocurrency. This report explores both the original and new payout models, uncovers the regulatory requirements they likely do not meet, and outlines the legal risks to both the operators and participants. 1. The Original Plan: Branded LOCAL City Places Debit Cards In promotional materials and emails, Troy Warren initially claimed that commissions and cashback earnings would be loaded onto a "branded LOCAL City Places Partner Debit Card." This card, he said, would be reloadable and offered by the […]
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know In recent years, many online programs and “rewards” platforms have started offering what they call branded debit cards to participants. Whether they claim you’ll receive cashback, commissions, or monthly bonuses loaded onto a Visa or Mastercard, the appeal is obvious: free money, conveniently delivered. But here’s the reality — issuing branded debit cards is tightly regulated, and not just any business can hand them out. In fact, many of these claims are either misleading or entirely false. To understand the truth, it’s important to know how branded cards actually work. Companies cannot simply print their logo on a Visa or Mastercard and start distributing them. Only banks that are licensed Visa or Mastercard issuers can offer these cards — and only after passing stringent vetting by the payment networks […]
Related
Troy Warren Free Merchant Website Program Explained – Do Not Give Upfront Fees
Be Careful- Why Troy Warren’s “Free Websites” Pitch Deserves a Closer Look - Do not give Upfront Fees Upfront-fees in exchange for the Troy Warren Free Merchant Website program is being promoted as a breakthrough opportunity for small-business owners and sponsors alike. It promises free websites, ongoing commissions, and “six-figure potential.” But when you strip away the nostalgia and urgency, the mechanics look far more like a multi-level marketing structure than a true small-business solution. 1. The Setup: Nostalgia as credibility bait The email opens with a long memory-lane story about an early 1990s/1998 project to establish authority. That story is used to imply the sender has repeatable “magic” — a common tactic to transfer trust from past success to a new offer. Historical anecdotes can be real, but they’re also easy to use as credibility theater. 2. The […]
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is Doomed
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is DoomedSide-by-Side ComparisonFeatureTroy Warren’s “LOCAL City Places”Yelp / Google Maps / NextdoorBusiness Data QualityPlaceholder names like “Burgers Test Restaurant” with fake numbers (555-xxxx). Some listings use completely mismatched photos (restaurants showing shoes).Verified businesses with accurate names, real addresses, and phone numbers directly tied to the merchant.User Reviews“No reviews yet” across the board, despite promises of “steady activity.”Millions of active reviews across every major category. Trusted by both consumers and businesses.ImagesStock photos, irrelevant uploads, or generic placeholders.Real customer photos, verified merchant uploads, and street-view integration.FunctionalityListings don’t connect to any live traffic, ordering, or customer engagement.Deep integration with maps, ordering platforms, reservations, and real community discussions.MonetizationRecruit-to-earn schemes and “city host” licenses. The platform itself has no organic merchant value.Real ad platforms where businesses pay for visibility because the audience is there.Trust & CredibilityFake phone […]
CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: $CASH$BATES$, CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards Executive Summary The $CASH$BATES$ program, operated by CityPressMedia, Inc. and fronted by entrepreneur Troy Warren, originally promised users payouts via a branded debit card. The company has now pivoted to promoting an unregulated "eWallet" platform that allegedly supports ACH transfers, virtual debit cards compatible with Apple/Google Pay, push-to-card payouts, and even cryptocurrency. This report explores both the original and new payout models, uncovers the regulatory requirements they likely do not meet, and outlines the legal risks to both the operators and participants. 1. The Original Plan: Branded LOCAL City Places Debit Cards In promotional materials and emails, Troy Warren initially claimed that commissions and cashback earnings would be loaded onto a "branded LOCAL City Places Partner Debit Card." This card, he said, would be reloadable and offered by the […]
CashBates – Real Rewards or Real Red Flags
CashBates: Real Rewards or Real Red Flags? A new initiative called CashBates, launched by the site LocalCityPlaces.com, promises consumers "real cash rewards for shopping local" with no strings attached. According to press releases, users simply take a photo of a local store receipt, upload it through the site, and — once verified — receive 10% cash back. No points, no store credit, and no product restrictions. The program’s pitch is clear: support your local economy and earn real money while doing it. Even more enticing is the referral opportunity. CashBates users can recruit friends, family members, or even local business owners and earn additional rewards — not just from their direct referrals, but also from those referred by their referrals. With a two-tier commission structure, this turns ordinary shoppers into local economy ambassadors — or so the pitch goes. But […]
The Fine Line Between Outreach and Overreach in Affiliate and MLM Marketing
When Opt-In Isn’t Enough: The Fine Line Between Outreach and Overreach in Affiliate and MLM Marketing Is Local City Places pushing the boundaries? In the world of digital marketing, permission is powerful. Opt-in lists — those built from individuals who have willingly shared their contact information — form the backbone of ethical outreach campaigns. However, just because someone agrees to receive messages doesn’t give marketers free rein to inundate them with constant pitches or exaggerated promises. There is a critical distinction between informed consent and exploitative marketing, especially in spaces like multi-level marketing (MLM) or high-pressure affiliate programs. One recurring example of this overreach is the use of repetitive, emotionally charged recruitment messages sent multiple times per week. These pitches often promise easy, recurring income, highlight low effort for high return, and use urgency or FOMO tactics to push recipients […]
Can a New Business Directory Really Compete with Google or Yelp
Can a New Business Directory Really Compete with Google or Yelp? The Truth About $500 Month Listings Does Local City Places have the WOW FACTOR? With the proliferation of online business directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and other well-established platforms, it’s hard to imagine a new directory breaking into the market and offering a compelling reason for businesses to pay nearly $500 per month for a listing. Despite these challenges, some newer companies claim they can compete with Google, Yelp, and other long-established directories. But when you scratch beneath the surface, this claim starts to look a bit questionable. Let’s dive into why competing with the "big dogs" isn't as simple as it sounds. The High Cost of Being Listed Charging $500 per month for a business listing may sound steep to many small businesses, especially when they can […]
Be the first to leave a comment