Category of people prone to falling into the trap of scammers

In modern society, fraudsters use various psychological methods to achieve their goals. According to Russian psychologist, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor Vera Nikishina, five categories of people are most likely to fall into the trap of fraudsters. These categories include:

1. Elderly people – They are considered a particularly vulnerable group by fraudsters. Because they are not familiar with modern technologies and fraud methods.

2. People with low critical thinking – Such individuals have difficulty analyzing information and can easily believe any information.

3. Trustworthy people – People who trust people a lot and take their every word as true.

4. Exhausted people – People who have not rested for a long time or are mentally and physically exhausted are less alert.

5. Self-interested people – Fraudsters often deceive people with offers based on self-interest.

Main methods of fraud

Today, fraudsters use strong emotions such as fear, surprise, misunderstanding, aggression or anger to deceive people. The stronger these emotions are, the more likely it is that people will fall for them.

As Professor Nikishina notes, fraudsters base their scenarios on personal relationships. For example:

• For a mother – the safety of her child is important.
  
• For a child – avoiding accusations of wrongdoing is a priority.
  
• For older people – pension and financial issues are urgent.
  

Ways to protect yourself from scammers

According to a psychologist, the most effective way to protect yourself from scammers is to keep your distance from strangers and be careful when communicating with them. In addition, it is important to follow these tips:

• Limit conversations with strangers – If a stranger approaches you with a certain job or offer, accept it with suspicion.
  
• Check information from official sources – If someone introduces themselves as an official, it is recommended to immediately check via the helpline.
  
• Do not be overly emotional – When you feel fear or surprise, you should remain alert and not make hasty decisions.
  
• Do not disclose personal information over the phone – Do not give out bank cards, passport numbers, or personal information to anyone.
  

The best way to protect yourself from fraud is to constantly develop critical thinking and be aware of various fraud schemes. This approach is important in protecting people from financial and psychological harm. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”