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Scams 101 – Recognizing Work from Home, Online & Email Scams in 2025
An Educational Legacy from Lesley Fountain, Preserved for Today’s Internet Users
About This Resource
This article is part of a historical digital archive originally published on FriendsInBusiness.com, created and written by Lesley Fountain, a former college professor turned passionate anti-scam educator.
We’ve preserved this content in her memory, and updated it to help modern readers understand the ever-evolving nature of scams in 2025 — including AI-generated fraud, phishing schemes, and fake remote job offers.
Note: This article is an informational archive. We are not affiliated with Lesley Fountain or her original organization. Our goal is to preserve and adapt helpful resources for public benefit.
The Original Message from Lesley Fountain
Lesley used humor and personal experience to help everyday people recognize red flags before they became victims. A self-proclaimed “PROFessional Scammee,” she was honest about her own mistakes and used them to teach others.
She warned readers:
“You would be amazed at the stupid stuff otherwise intelligent people will fall for.”
That line still holds true — especially today, as scams grow more sophisticated and target more vulnerable individuals through digital platforms.
Key Lessons from “Scams 101” — Still Relevant in 2025
Lesley’s original work covered scams that, unfortunately, still exist in new forms:
1. Work-from-Home Scams
- Then: Envelope-stuffing jobs and fake MLMs
- Now: AI job offers, fake customer service roles, or “remote assistant” scams
2. Phishing & Email Scams
- Then: Nigerian prince emails and mystery lottery wins
- Now: Hyper-realistic phishing emails spoofing banks, IRS, and even tech support
3. Online Business Fraud
- Then: Bad eBay buyers/sellers, shady dropshipping courses
- Now: Fake Amazon resellers, scam coaching webinars, affiliate fraud
4. Emotional Manipulation
- Then & Now: Romance scams, fake charities, and online sob stories asking for money
A Modern Takeaway
Lesley’s advice was simple but powerful:
Research every business opportunity. Listen to warnings. Learn how scams evolve.
In 2025, scammers use AI tools, deepfake videos, and social engineering to make their schemes more convincing. Staying updated is no longer optional — it’s essential.
About the Original Author: Lesley Fountain
Lesley Fountain passed away in 2009, but her work lives on as a cautionary tale and a public resource. She helped thousands of people avoid financial loss through wit, warmth, and straight talk.
This article is adapted and maintained in her honor. Portions of the original content can still be found via the Wayback Machine archive.
Disclaimer – This website is not affiliated with Lesley Fountain or the original creators of Friends In Business. This content is republished and updated to preserve the educational value and timeless advice provided in the original work.