Search results
Dec 11, 2020 · Scams can target specific communities, but they affect people in every community. No matter what community you live in, or feel a part of, you can help protect yourself and your whole community against frauds and scams by using the FTC’s free resources.
People also ask
What happens if you get scammed?
Do you feel reluctance to report a scam?
Why do people fall for scams?
Do scams affect all age groups?
Dec 15, 2022 · Two-thirds of scam victims in a 2015 FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) survey reported experiencing negative emotional consequences specifically as a result of the fraud. “That ranged from severe anxiety, to sleep disorders, depression, PTSD,” says Christine Kieffer, senior director at the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.
- Christina Ianzito
- You Scratch My Back…
- Like Lemmings Off A Cliff
- Little Steps
- Fomo
- They Seemed So Nice
Beware the principle of reciprocity. If someone does something for us, we feel more obliged to do something for them. Scammers use this type of “enforced indebtedness” to elicit an unwise action from their target. For example, someone offering you an exclusive opportunity to invest your money can be seen to be doing you a favour. That in turn makes...
Research shows that if a person believes other people are doing something, then they feel it must be okay for them to do it too. This is especially true when individuals find themselves in a pressured and ambiguous situation – such as a sales pitch. If a person on the other end of the phone tells us that 75% of people like us have signed up to this...
People like to think of themselves as being consistent and committed individuals. If we say we are going to do something, then generally we will, as failure to do so may dent our sometimes fragile self-esteem. Fraudsters take advantage of this by getting us to commit to little steps that then escalate in nature. For example, by simply getting peopl...
People are generally worried about missing out on an opportunity, perhaps for “the next big thing”. And if such an “offer” is for a limited time only, then the principle of scarcitysuggests that people are more likely to be drawn to it. When our freedom to be able to do something is threatened, we tend to react quickly to ensure that we don’t miss ...
The principle of similaritysuggests that we tend to like people who seem to be the same as us, and, in turn, we are much more likely to agree to a request from someone we like. Similarity can be as broad as an interest in financial investments or as fleeting as sharing some personal characteristics. Scammers take advantage of this and try to find o...
- Paul Seager
Aug 16, 2023 · In this article, we describe how scams and fraud can affect your mental health, and also if you live with a mental illness, you may be more likely to fall victim to a scam.
May 1, 2018 · What recourse do you have if you’ve been a victim of scams, and what are your chances of getting restitution? Consumer Reports has the answers.
Dec 8, 2022 · Many people think scams mostly affect older adults. But reports to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel tell a different story: anyone can be scammed. In fact, reports suggest that many scams are harming younger people more than older adults.
Consumer Fraud Schemes. Learn more about common fraud schemes that target consumers, including identity theft, non-delivery scams, online car buying scams, and theft of ATM/debit and credit...
