KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — High lottery jackpots, as we've seen in the last month, create a surge in scams because they generate widespread hope for a life-changing windfall. Scammers use this hype to make their fake offers of a big prize seem more believable.

Scammers pressure you to act quickly before you have time to think or research the offer. By creating a sense of urgency, scammers will warn you that if you don't respond now, you risk losing your prize. They'll often impersonate famous people whom you know to have a lot of money. Many will reach out on social media.

Rocky Rule is retired. He's a grandfather and enjoys keeping up to date with his grandkids on Facebook. They keep him busy online, so he's on his iPad frequently. Rule said a strange message came a few weeks ago out of

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