Think you're too smart to get scammed? Think again - here's why no one is immune
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At the Seniors Discount Club, we aim to keep our members informed about potential threats when navigating the digital world.
Today, we want to remind everyone that even the most smart and vigilant people can fall prey to scam artists.
According to reports, Australians lost over $3.1 billion to scams in 2022.
And despite the severity of the issue, many still believe they're too clever to become victims themselves. A false sense of security can be distracting, leaving us susceptible to even the savviest of swindlers.
‘People feel that they are too intelligent and aware to fall for a scam,' says Annie McCubbins, author of Why Smart Women Buy the Lies: And how critical thinking reveals the truth.
We all know the obvious red flags like an email with spelling mistakes, knock-off logos or suspicious return addresses, but these clumsy scams lead to complacency.
That's when the masters of deception strike, deploying highly sophisticated tactics that can bypass email, text and phone servers and make their ploys appear legitimate.
It is estimated that only 13 per cent of scams are reported. According to Annie, this is largely due to shame.
‘It’s because we’re embarrassed. How often do you hear someone say “I can’t believe I fell for it?”’ she explained.
Think you'd spot a scammer a mile off? What if you received an email from your boss's actual address about buying gift cards for clients?
Or received a legitimate-looking notification from Australia Post about the parcel you're expecting?
How about a sophisticated bank scam that could leave you thousands of dollars in debt?
That's right. Scams have become so advanced that anyone can fall victim. So it’s important to end the shame and stigma surrounding becoming a victim of cybercrime.
According to Annie, our intelligence is no defence against the manipulation of professional scam artists.
‘We think our rational brain is in charge when, in fact, it is our unconscious emotional drivers that are calling the shots,’ she explains.
She also stated that our brains are wired to trust others because it's essential for our survival.
‘We shouldn’t judge ourselves for trusting too easily.’
Scammers are also adept at bypassing our rational thinking by using authoritative language and imagery resembling trusted organisations like banks or government agencies. We're also prone to consistency bias, which scammers exploit by gradually upping the ante.
Once they've obtained something small, like a minor piece of information, they'll move on to a more significant ask, increasing the likelihood of the target's compliance.
So, it's crucial to approach any digital communication involving money or personal data with caution. Always be vigilant, even if the source appears to be a friend, family member or trusted company.
If someone you know is asking for money or private information, verify the request by calling them directly. The same goes for contact from organisations like the Australia Post or your bank – confirm the legitimacy of the request by calling a number found on their verified websites.
In conclusion, it’s far better to be overly cautious.
Remember, nobody is 100 per cent immune to scams, no matter how tech-savvy, intelligent or vigilant they are. So, stay alert, dear members, and keep your hard-earned money and personal information safe from these digital-age tricksters.
Members, if you have any tips or stories to share about how to stay safe from online scams, then please leave them in the comments below.
Today, we want to remind everyone that even the most smart and vigilant people can fall prey to scam artists.
According to reports, Australians lost over $3.1 billion to scams in 2022.
And despite the severity of the issue, many still believe they're too clever to become victims themselves. A false sense of security can be distracting, leaving us susceptible to even the savviest of swindlers.
Many are still falling victim to scams. Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
‘People feel that they are too intelligent and aware to fall for a scam,' says Annie McCubbins, author of Why Smart Women Buy the Lies: And how critical thinking reveals the truth.
We all know the obvious red flags like an email with spelling mistakes, knock-off logos or suspicious return addresses, but these clumsy scams lead to complacency.
That's when the masters of deception strike, deploying highly sophisticated tactics that can bypass email, text and phone servers and make their ploys appear legitimate.
It is estimated that only 13 per cent of scams are reported. According to Annie, this is largely due to shame.
‘It’s because we’re embarrassed. How often do you hear someone say “I can’t believe I fell for it?”’ she explained.
Scammers are getting smarter. Credit: Tara Winstead/Pexels
Think you'd spot a scammer a mile off? What if you received an email from your boss's actual address about buying gift cards for clients?
Or received a legitimate-looking notification from Australia Post about the parcel you're expecting?
How about a sophisticated bank scam that could leave you thousands of dollars in debt?
That's right. Scams have become so advanced that anyone can fall victim. So it’s important to end the shame and stigma surrounding becoming a victim of cybercrime.
According to Annie, our intelligence is no defence against the manipulation of professional scam artists.
‘We think our rational brain is in charge when, in fact, it is our unconscious emotional drivers that are calling the shots,’ she explains.
She also stated that our brains are wired to trust others because it's essential for our survival.
‘We shouldn’t judge ourselves for trusting too easily.’
Scammers are also adept at bypassing our rational thinking by using authoritative language and imagery resembling trusted organisations like banks or government agencies. We're also prone to consistency bias, which scammers exploit by gradually upping the ante.
Once they've obtained something small, like a minor piece of information, they'll move on to a more significant ask, increasing the likelihood of the target's compliance.
So, it's crucial to approach any digital communication involving money or personal data with caution. Always be vigilant, even if the source appears to be a friend, family member or trusted company.
If someone you know is asking for money or private information, verify the request by calling them directly. The same goes for contact from organisations like the Australia Post or your bank – confirm the legitimacy of the request by calling a number found on their verified websites.
In conclusion, it’s far better to be overly cautious.
Remember, nobody is 100 per cent immune to scams, no matter how tech-savvy, intelligent or vigilant they are. So, stay alert, dear members, and keep your hard-earned money and personal information safe from these digital-age tricksters.
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