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Old age is not a joy. For everyone except phone scammers.
Experts from Rush University in Chicago tested how well older people are versed in common types of fraud. The journal JAMA Network Open published the results of an experiment in which researchers contacted the target group on behalf of government representatives.
The experiment involved 644 people over the age of 85-participants of the long-term Rush Memory and Aging Project. Communication was conducted by phone or via e-mails.
Then the subjects were divided into three groups: those who did not come into contact, those who came into contact with skepticism, and those who "fell for the trick" (those who willingly communicated with "intruders").
Of the 644 participants, 441 (68.5%) did not make contact, 97 (15.1%) were skeptical, and 106 (16.4%) did not suspect anything. Of this latter group, almost three-quarters provided personal information. The study found that the type of contact was influenced by factors such as cognitive ability, financial literacy, and general knowledge of such tricks.
According to the US Federal Trade Commission, phone calls are the most common and effective method used to deceive the elderly.
The National Center for Consumer Protection reports that more than 30 million automated calls are made daily in the country. Thus, attackers steal about $ 30 billion a year. Approximately 70% of Americans, knowing about the problem, do not answer unfamiliar numbers.
Fraudsters introduce themselves as bank employees and report suspicious transactions on the account, allegedly committed by hackers. To protect the funds, the victim is offered to install a program for remote access to the computer. This allows you to take full control of the device.
Another common scenario is a call on behalf of a representative of the tax service with a request to transfer money urgently in order to avoid fines or arrest. They can also offer cheap tours, extending the car warranty, and re-crediting on favorable terms.
Do Not Call lists only work with bona fide companies. Lists refer to registries or databases where consumers can enter their phone numbers to "fend off" annoying telemarketers.
Although many operators have implemented systems to alert subscribers to "Possible Fraud", there are ways to circumvent this marking. Spam emails also remain an effective weapon for criminals.
Knowledge is the best defense against deception. Companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, tax authorities, and major banks do not contact customers and offer to conduct financial transactions over the phone or through suspicious sites. If the interlocutor introduces himself as an employee of such organizations, it is better to put down the phone immediately.
Experts from Rush University in Chicago tested how well older people are versed in common types of fraud. The journal JAMA Network Open published the results of an experiment in which researchers contacted the target group on behalf of government representatives.
The experiment involved 644 people over the age of 85-participants of the long-term Rush Memory and Aging Project. Communication was conducted by phone or via e-mails.
Then the subjects were divided into three groups: those who did not come into contact, those who came into contact with skepticism, and those who "fell for the trick" (those who willingly communicated with "intruders").
Of the 644 participants, 441 (68.5%) did not make contact, 97 (15.1%) were skeptical, and 106 (16.4%) did not suspect anything. Of this latter group, almost three-quarters provided personal information. The study found that the type of contact was influenced by factors such as cognitive ability, financial literacy, and general knowledge of such tricks.
According to the US Federal Trade Commission, phone calls are the most common and effective method used to deceive the elderly.
The National Center for Consumer Protection reports that more than 30 million automated calls are made daily in the country. Thus, attackers steal about $ 30 billion a year. Approximately 70% of Americans, knowing about the problem, do not answer unfamiliar numbers.
Fraudsters introduce themselves as bank employees and report suspicious transactions on the account, allegedly committed by hackers. To protect the funds, the victim is offered to install a program for remote access to the computer. This allows you to take full control of the device.
Another common scenario is a call on behalf of a representative of the tax service with a request to transfer money urgently in order to avoid fines or arrest. They can also offer cheap tours, extending the car warranty, and re-crediting on favorable terms.
Do Not Call lists only work with bona fide companies. Lists refer to registries or databases where consumers can enter their phone numbers to "fend off" annoying telemarketers.
Although many operators have implemented systems to alert subscribers to "Possible Fraud", there are ways to circumvent this marking. Spam emails also remain an effective weapon for criminals.
Knowledge is the best defense against deception. Companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, tax authorities, and major banks do not contact customers and offer to conduct financial transactions over the phone or through suspicious sites. If the interlocutor introduces himself as an employee of such organizations, it is better to put down the phone immediately.
