THE ART OF DECEPTION: HOW TO REACT IN CASE OF SCAM
- By Irmin Corona
- 3 Comments
- English
- Read Time 4 Min
My phone vibrated on a peaceful Sunday morning, signaling an incoming WhatsApp video call. As I picked up, a stern-faced police officer appeared, the local department’s flag visible behind him. He forcefully demanded my passport or ID. Though not my first encounter, their dedication to creating a convincing scene astounded me.
Scammers are refining their techniques, but before we examine their tactics, let’s understand how these schemes function and how to react in case of a scam.
Table of Contents
The Secrets Behind Scam Call Centers
Can you believe it? Scam call centers are a real thing. Like regular employees, these scam artists clock in, have performance goals, and do a typical day’s work trying to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Surprisingly, they operate similarly to regular call centers. They often use follow-up calls to boost their chances of pulling off a scam. On an average day, a scammer might place 52 calls and manage to trick about 2% of those they call. (source)
How Follow-Up Calls Boost Their Success Rate
Persistence is key, like any typical customer service or sales call center. These scammers use follow-up calls to increase the likelihood of fooling their targets. If you’re curious about how effective these follow-up tactics are, here are some numbers based on insights from a former call center worker.
All of us need to be aware and stay informed. Knowledge is our best shield against these deceptive practices and will help keep us one step ahead in the never-ending game of cat and mouse with scammers.
- To learn more about Scam Call centers, click here
How Scammers Manipulate Our Minds
In 2020, scammers managed to steal an unbelievable $3.3 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scam artists target victims of all ages with their believable stories. Falling for a scam isn’t a sign of gullibility or vulnerability; it’s often due to the psychological tactics employed by scammers.
These master manipulators use social engineering to persuade their targets to take specific actions or divulge sensitive information. Blaming the victims overlooks powerful psychological principles, such as the “fundamental attribution error.”
Renowned psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini has identified six “universal principles of influence” that scammers use to manipulate their targets. By learning these principles, we can enhance our ability to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones from becoming targets of these crafty scams.
1. Reciprocity
People naturally feel compelled to return favors. Scammers use this principle to create a sense of obligation. For example, receiving a small gift, like a mint, can boost tipping by 20%.
2. Consistency
People value reliability and strive for it. Scammers exploit this by asking for something small, then escalating their demands, knowing victims will want to stay consistent with their previous actions.
3. Social Proof
In uncertain situations, individuals look to others for guidance. Scammers leverage the power of consensus opinions to make their schemes seem valid.
4. Liking
We are more likely to comply with requests from those we like. Scammers impersonate friends or use charm to establish a connection before making their move.
5. Authority
Individuals are more inclined to obey authority figures. Scammers impersonate experts or executives, using urgency to pressure victims into compliance.
6. Scarcity
We desire things in short supply. Scammers create artificial deadlines or limited offers to capitalize on our fear of missing out.
Social engineering preys on our innate instincts, like curiosity, respect for authority, and the urge to help friends. By understanding these psychological forces, we can empower ourselves to stay vigilant and avoid falling victim to scammers.
Link to the full article of Kenneth Freundlich, Ph.D., click here
What are the Most Common Types of Scams?
| Name of the Scam | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Charity Scams (fake charities or misrepresentation) | Verify charity information, use trusted sources to confirm legitimacy. |
| Debt Collection Scams (illegitimate debt claims) | Don’t provide personal financial information until you can verify the debt. |
| Debt Settlement and Relief Scams (risky debt solutions) | Avoid companies with guarantees and upfront fees; use free or nonprofit credit counseling. |
| Foreclosure Relief or Mortgage Loan Modification Scams (false promises to save homes) | Consult HUD-approved housing counseling agency, consider legal advice. |
| Grandparent Scams (fake calls for help from relatives) | Verify the caller’s identity, protect older adults from fraud and financial exploitation. |
| Imposter Scams (scammers pretending to be trusted entities) | Verify the organization or government agency before providing money. |
| Money Mule Scams (receiving and moving money for fraudsters) | Don’t send or receive money for unknown individuals, beware of jobs promising easy money. |
| Money Transfer or Mobile Payment Services Fraud (scammers misusing payment services) | Avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify requests from known contacts. |
| Mortgage Closing Scams (attempts to steal closing funds) | Identify trusted individuals, confirm process and payment instructions, protect closing funds. |
| Lottery or Prize Scams (fake winnings requiring upfront payment) | Don’t provide personal information, avoid upfront payments, recognize red flags. |
| Romance Scams (manipulative relationships for financial gain) | Be cautious with online connections, don’t share sensitive personal information, avoid financial involvement. |
If you suspect that you have been scammed, what should you do?
If you’ve fallen prey to a scam, don’t blame yourself. Scammers are skilled at their craft and constantly developing new tricks. They can be compelling, using phone calls, emails, and text messages to trick you into giving them money or sensitive information, like your Social Security or bank account numbers.
To avoid falling for scams in the first place, keep these essential tips in mind:
- Government agencies and banks won’t send you clickable links in emails or SMS messages. Be cautious of links that appear to be from the government or your bank.
- Government officials or bank representatives will never call you to ask for your personal information, such as bank account details.
- Never share your banking information, such as your User IDs, Personal Identification Numbers, and One-Time Passwords (OTPs), with anyone.
- Government officials will never ask you to pay a deposit or fee to receive benefits that you’re entitled to.
How to react in case of a scam
If You Paid a Scammer
| If You Paid a Scammer | Immediate Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| Credit or Debit Card | Immediately contact the issuing company or bank, emphasize the fraudulent nature of the charge, and strongly request a transaction reversal. |
| Unauthorized Bank Transfer | Contact your bank immediately, urgently report the unauthorized debit or withdrawal, and insistently ask them to reverse the transaction. |
| Gift Card | Contact the issuing company immediately, emphasize that the gift card was involved in a scam, and persist in requesting a refund. Make sure to keep the gift card and receipt for any necessary follow-up. |
| Wire Transfer (Bank) | Immediately notify your bank of the fraudulent transfer and firmly ask them to reverse the transaction. |
| Money Transfer App | Report the fraud to the app company immediately and request an urgent reversal. If your app links to a credit or debit card, notify the card issuer or bank. |
| Cryptocurrency | Quickly contact the company used to send the funds and forcefully report the fraud, bearing in mind that cryptocurrency payments are irreversible. |
| Cash (Delivery Services) | Contact the delivery service immediately and emphasize the urgency of the situation. |
If You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information
| Situation | Immediate Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| If Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information | Create a new, strong password immediately. If you use the same password elsewhere, change it there as well. |
Actions to Take if a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone
| Situation | Immediate Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| Scammer Has Remote Access to Computer | Update your computer’s security software, perform a scan, and remove any identified threats. Then, take additional measures to safeguard your personal information. |
| Scammer Takes Control of Cell Phone Number and Account | Monitor your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized activity, reporting any discrepancies to the respective companies. Contact your service provider to regain control of your phone number and change your account password. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance on further steps to take. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, scammers are becoming more skilled in deception, using psychological tactics to manipulate their targets into divulging sensitive information or giving them money. Scam call centers even exist, with offices and employees working tirelessly to defraud innocent victims. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial to avoiding these deceitful schemes.
If you suspect that you have been scammed, don’t blame yourself. Scammers are skilled at their craft and constantly developing new tricks. If you have fallen victim, report the case as soon as possible to the authorities. Remember to be cautious and never share your banking information with anyone. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe.
3 Responses
Really helpful information, to know how to act whenever these cases happen to us
Itís nearly impossible to find educated people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
awesome