How Scammers Hijack Their Victims’ Brains – An article from Marketplace Tech by Lily Jamali and Rose Huges
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a suspicious call or email? It can be tough to know when something is legitimate and when it’s a scammer trying to trick you out of your money. This article explores how scammers use psychological tactics to hijack their victims’ brains and discusses two common scams: phone scams and email scams.
Phone Scam: Fear is a Powerful Tool
The phone scam tactic relies on fear. Scammers often impersonate law enforcement officials and claim that the victim owes money or is in legal trouble. They pressure the victim into sending money immediately to avoid arrest. These scammers may use scare tactics and aggressive language, making it difficult for the victim to think clearly.
Email Scam: Targeting Trust and Authority
Email scams can be more subtle. They may come from someone pretending to be your boss or a higher-up at your company. These scammers often exploit trust relationships to trick the victim into buying a gift card or transferring money.
How to Protect Yourself
So how do these scams work? Scammers prey on our emotions, such as fear and urgency. They create a sense of crisis that clouds our judgment and makes us more susceptible to their manipulation:
- Be wary of pressure tactics. If someone is pressuring you to act quickly or not to hang up the phone, it’s a red flag.
- Don’t give out personal information over the phone or email. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information through these channels.
- Verify the caller ID. Scammers can often spoof phone numbers to make it appear as if they are calling from a legitimate organization.
- Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone or delete the email. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut instinct.
By being aware of these tactics and following these tips, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a scam.
If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a call or email, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and contact the organization directly using a phone number or email address that you know is correct.