Everyone knows about phone scams. They're featured on TV and written about online, including on the websites of major banks. However, people fall for these scams time and time again, explaining that they felt hypnotized. The fact is, scammers use psychological manipulation, and you need to learn how to resist it.
Bank analysts found that telephone scammers account for 90% of fraudulent schemes targeting Russians. The schemes used by scammers are widely reported. Nevertheless, the number of fraudulent calls is growing — in 2022, there were an average of 5 million per day, and in June 2023, there were already 8.6 million per day. And yet, citizens continue to believe the stories concocted by scammers.
Why does this happen? Why is it so difficult to combat fraudulent methods? Let's take a closer look.
Let's look at the most common scammer scenarios and use examples to understand the manipulative techniques they use.
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Bank analysts found that telephone scammers account for 90% of fraudulent schemes targeting Russians. The schemes used by scammers are widely reported. Nevertheless, the number of fraudulent calls is growing — in 2022, there were an average of 5 million per day, and in June 2023, there were already 8.6 million per day. And yet, citizens continue to believe the stories concocted by scammers.
Why does this happen? Why is it so difficult to combat fraudulent methods? Let's take a closer look.
Trusting relationships
To establish rapport, scammers address you by your first name and patronymic, repeating them throughout the conversation. They speak politely, calmly, and confidently. If you provide additional information about yourself (for example, that you're retired), they'll immediately play that card. They might respond that this is precisely why they're concerned about your savings, since they're obviously very valuable to you.A call from a significant person
Telephone scammers pose as employees of reputable organizations: bank security services, the police, the FBI, the bank, and so on.. To make their claims more convincing, they identify themselves by their first name, patronymic, and last name, and their job title is often described as "chief specialist" or "major."Fear of loss or persecution
The next step is to play on a fundamental human fear: the fear of loss. When you're told someone is trying to steal money from your account or a loved one is in trouble, you become nervous and lose the ability to think rationally. Recently, the fear of loss has been compounded by the fear of persecution — scammers claim that money from your account is being transferred to the Ukrainian army, and you could be accused of treason.Don't give time to think
Once you've been hooked, the scammer's goal is to leave you no time to think things through. The perpetrator takes the initiative:- asks short questions,
- is in a hurry,
- doesn't let me concentrate,
- prohibits consulting with relatives or friends.
Intimidation
If you hesitate, the scammers resort to intimidation. For example, they say you should never hang up, otherwise your money will be transferred to another account (what's the point?) or your troubled relative will end up in jail. Posing as police officers, they threaten criminal liability for refusing to cooperate with law enforcement. The goal of intimidation is the same: to prevent you from collecting your thoughts.What phrases do only scammers use?
Fortunately, scammers operate according to scripts that clearly specify the phrases they should use. You can identify them by these phrases. Here are the main ones:Let's look at the most common scammer scenarios and use examples to understand the manipulative techniques they use.
A relative in trouble
You receive a call from an unknown number. The caller claims to be your son, daughter, or another loved one. They say they've been detained by the police. Most often, it's about a traffic accident or a fight. Then a supposed police officer joins the conversation and says they're willing to help, but you need to hand over a certain amount of money. If you refuse, your relative or friend faces prison ( Fear of loss or persecution ). You must hand over the money immediately, because it will be too late (No time to think).Another variation of the "relative in need" scenario
You receive a text message or instant message asking you to transfer money to a phone number. The scammers explain that the number is unfamiliar to you by claiming that your son or daughter is in trouble, has lost their phone, and is desperately seeking your help (fear of loss).A call from the security service, police, FBI, Bank, government agencies
You receive a call from an unknown number, addressed by your first name and patronymic (a relationship of trust), introduced as a bank security officer or a senior specialist at the Bank (a call from a significant person), and told that someone tried to withdraw money from your card (fear of loss). To prevent this, you must immediately confirm your bank card details and provide the code from the SMS (to give you no time to think). If you don't do this immediately, the money will be debited (intimidation).Another scenario: scammers pose as police or FBI officers (a call from a significant person)
Fraudsters claim a loan has been issued in your name, that they're trying to steal your money, or that you must participate in a criminal investigation (fear of loss or persecution). To save your money or assist in the investigation, you must immediately transfer it to a secure account they provide. Since the operation is secret, you must not tell anyone about it (intimidation).Your card is blocked
You receive an SMS or a message via messenger stating that your bank card has been blocked (fear of loss). For more information, you're asked to call a specific number. If you call back, you're informed that the bank has experienced a technical issue and that to reactivate your card, you must provide its number, PIN, or CVV/CVC/CVP code, followed by a code sent to your number via SMS. If you do this, the scammers will easily withdraw all your money.They are trying to withdraw money from your company's bank account.
Fraudsters target not only individuals but also organizations. A company's chief accountant receives a call from the police (a call from a significant person) informing them that their passport information has been stolen and that someone is attempting to steal money from the organization's account (fear of loss or persecution). Therefore, they urgently need to transfer the money to a secure account. To do this correctly, they need to install a special app on their phone. Once the app is installed, the scammers gain control over the accountant's actions. The accountant transfers money from the organization's account to their bank card, and then to the scammers' accounts.How to resist the influence of telephone scammers?
Now that you know the tactics scammers use, it will be easier to resist them. Remember the most important things:- Before following any instructions received over the phone, take a break, take three deep breaths, call loved ones and discuss the situation with them.
- If someone calls you on behalf of a relative or friend asking you to transfer money, contact them personally. Even if they don't answer the phone, that's not a reason to transfer the money immediately. Wait for them to call back or find them through mutual contacts.
- Your bank account details, card number, PIN code or CVV/CVC/CVP code, SMS code and any other information required for making a bank transfer must not be disclosed to anyone.
- You can never be sure that the person calling you is who they say they are. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the organization that is calling you back.
- Neither banks, nor the police, nor any other organizations resolve issues over the phone, especially urgent ones. Even if you're threatened with criminal liability for refusing to cooperate, be aware that telephone threats have no legal force. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the organization that called you back.
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