Why do email scams still work and are profitable?

Email marketer from Comparitech explains that with enough time, effort, and ingenuity, cybercriminals can trick even the most cautious internet users. The problem comes down to the fact that humans are fallible.

Email marketer from Scamwatch explains that the psychology of persuasion is a key element for scammers. They try to trigger reactions using the following techniques: Authority, Liking, Scarcity, Social Proof, Reciprocity, and Commitment and Consistency.

Email marketer from Reddit shares that many scams rely on volume. Sending millions of emails costs very little, and even a low success rate results in substantial profits. Additionally, scammers adapt their tactics based on what works, constantly refining their approach.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that some scams are deliberately obvious to target individuals who are more likely to give up sensitive information easily. Combined with the fact that a tiny response rate can make it financially viable.

Email marketer from Federal Trade Commission responds that the FTC finds that scammers can be very persuasive and use sophisticated psychological techniques to trick people. They create a sense of urgency or fear, making victims act without thinking critically. Furthermore, many people are unaware of the red flags associated with scams.

Email marketer from Better Business Bureau explains that many individuals still do not realize they have been scammed until their bank accounts are impacted and that education is key. Scammers are good at what they do so continued education is needed to protect the public.

Email marketer from Email Geeks states that these email scams continue to exist because it's still worth it for them if they get one victim out of 10,000 emails sent.

Email marketer from LifeLock shares that email scams work because scammers are constantly evolving their techniques to target unsuspecting recipients. They might use timely lures, such as current events or seasonal offers, to get the attention of a victim.

Email marketer from Quora explains that email scams still work because they are cheap to send and only need a tiny percentage of recipients to fall for them to be profitable. They exploit human psychology, preying on greed, fear, and a desire for easy money.

Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine explains that spam is profitable because it costs almost nothing to send millions of emails. If even a tiny fraction of recipients respond positively, the scammer makes money. The economics of spam are such that even a low success rate can be highly lucrative.

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins responds that spam exists because it’s a numbers game. Sending tons of messages means that some people will reply, and some of those replies will be positive. The cost of sending is so low that even a very low positive reply rate makes it a good return on the investment.

Expert from Email Geeks explains that scammers can sell the addresses of people who respond for a profit because they are receptive to more targeted scams. Even if only a small percentage respond, it's still worthwhile, especially targeting vulnerable individuals.

Expert from Word to the Wise staff explain that spammers continue scamming because they are finding a way to profit off of it. In some cases, the spammers themselves could be victims of another scam.

Documentation from Microsoft explains that scams are successful by appealing to human nature, such as trust, fear, or urgency, so that victims don't think carefully about the request before doing it. Phishing emails frequently use legitimate-looking logos, email addresses, and names to fool recipients into thinking the request is legitimate.

Documentation from Proofpoint shares that the human factor is the biggest element to why email scams still work. Humans can easily be tricked and it's much easier to trick a human than to hack the network.

Documentation from Anti-Phishing Working Group explains that email scams persist due to the continuous evolution of phishing techniques. Scammers are innovative and adept at bypassing security measures and exploiting new vulnerabilities, like those found in emerging technologies. They are also good at targeting vulnerable people to improve the probability of scamming success.

Documentation from Norton shares that one of the reasons email scams work is because email addresses can be easily spoofed, making it hard to know who sent the email. Scammers often impersonate well-known organizations to steal personal information.

Documentation from Agari explains that brand impersonation, business email compromise, and supply chain attacks have evolved to be very sophisticated. The more legitimate looking the email appears, the more likely a recipient is to trust it.