The “$2,000 Payment” Text: Why
- The Suspicious Text
A man—called David—gets a strange message: “The $2,000 Trump payment is out—check the list to see if your name is on it.”
Even though he knows it looks fake, the promise triggers FOMO and he clicks.
- The “Soft Trap”
The link leads to a site called LedgerWatch. It looks professional and doesn’t ask for personal info, lowering his guard.
Instead, it uses “truth-adjacent” language to keep users scrolling. Cyber experts call this a “Soft Trap”—the goal is engagement, not instant theft.
- Behavioral Tracking
David learns the site is collecting a “behavioral fingerprint,” studying pauses, scrolling, and clicks to profile how people react to money-related messages.
- The Real Risk
Modern scams focus on prediction, not quick theft.
To stay safe: remember the government doesn’t text links, avoid vague “truth-adjacent” sites, and don’t interact with suspicious messages.
As the story warns, “You are the product. And the only way to win is not to play.”
