Not always unexpected, sometimes quite normal, other times almost hoped for. A call, an email a message from a trusted person or business. With this trust can quickly come a chance to relax, a chance to accept and a commitment to comply.
Yet, that can be all it takes for a scam to succeed. A feeling that something is quite normal; even despite a frustration, annoyance, or the disruption it brings.
All of it is designed to do one thing: make you comply. Whatever the feelings or issue, following the instructions of the scammer is what takes a person from vulnerable to victim within seconds. Their information becomes lost, their life turned upside down, their savings gone.
Add in a threat or an unpleasing consequence and the scam becomes a whole lot more successful. The fear this consequence creates causes a reaction, usually a reaction that forces the victim to drop their guard, ignore asking questions or simply declining. The defence, power and security have all now gone; meaning it’s now time to surrender to the scammer.
That’s why, no matter the claims, the logo, the contact number, the topics relevance, or the expectations: pausing is paramount. Taking a moment to pause and then think about what is happening retains the power to fend off the most persistent scammer.
Even if it feels real, sometimes very real, not everything may ‘add up.’ Thinking about it all – beyond the immediate situation – helps you make the decision that feels best for you. Not the scammer.
The next time you are contacted by a stranger, without warning, without ever asking; listen to the voice inside your head. Is it saying something doesn’t feel right?
To help, always remember to Pause – Think – Decide every single time. You’re in control. So, always do all you can to stop the criminal from making you just another victim.
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After a scam, what next?
What we think you could consider … if you’re the victim of a scam or fraud.
