Scammers are master manipulators, using psychological tactics to persuade victims to act against their best interests. Understanding how bad actors operate can help you protect yourself.
Common scam tactics:
- Emotional manipulation – Playing on strong emotions – fear, greed, guilt and/or sympathy, for example – to trigger a response without critical thinking.
- Optimism bias – Believing that bad things are more likely to happen to others than to ourselves. Such bias can lead us to underestimate the risk of being scammed, making us more vulnerable to deceptive tactics.
- Confirmation bias – Looking for information that confirms our ideas and beliefs while ignoring contradicting information. Scammers exploit this by crafting messages that align with what we want to believe, making us less likely to question legitimacy.
- Urgency and scarcity – Creating a false sense of limited time or opportunity to pressure victims into acting quickly.
- Social proof – Using testimonials, celebrity endorsements or others’ alleged feedback to legitimize the scam.
- Authority bias – Establishing themselves as credible experts or authority figures to gain trust; this may include posing as a government employee or claiming to represent a reputable business or financial institution.
Why people get scammed:
- Trusting nature – People are often inclined to believe others, especially when presented with seemingly credible information.
- Desire for quick solutions – The allure of easy money or quick fixes can cloud judgment.
- Lack of awareness – People may not recognize red flags or may be unfamiliar with common scam tactics.
- Emotional vulnerability – Stress, loneliness, or other emotional challenges can make individuals more susceptible to manipulation.
How to protect yourself:
- Be skeptical – Verify information before acting, especially when presented with unexpected offers or when meeting someone new. Ask questions instead of immediately accepting what you hear as true.
- Do your research – Check the legitimacy of companies and individuals before providing personal details.
- Don’t rush decisions – Take time to think critically and seek advice from trusted sources before making important financial choices. Ask for time to think and then call the person back at the phone number you know to be correct, not the number the person provided to you.
- Be cautious of high-pressure tactics – If someone is pushing you to act immediately, be wary.
- Educate yourself – Learn about common scam tactics and red flags to identify potential scams.
- Have a trusted confidant – Identify someone in your life with whom you can share anything, even things that you’re asked to keep secret. The confidant can evaluate the situation from an outside perspective to let you know whether something seems amiss.
Consumers who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.