How to Prevent Scams?

In this module, you will learn about the scale of scams and the criminal activity that takes place behind these scams. This will benefit you as it will put scams into perspective, and it will make it easier for you to recognize scams and comprehend the grave repercussions of them.

• 53% of people aged 65 plus, in the UK, have been targeted by scams.

• According to the FBI, scammers collected a billion dollars from senior citizens in America only!

• Scams are the product of organised, predatory criminals who gain trust to exploit and steal money.

• Scam victims might not always admit (or be aware) that they are a victim of a scam. Only 5% of victims report the crime (Age UK 2015).

• People can end up losing their life savings.

• Victims' details are added to so-called "suckers lists"* which are sold to other fraudsters. "Suckers list" is a term used by criminals to refer to the direct mailing lists they compile when targeting people that are likely to respond to scams.

• Victims may also suffer from stress, relationship and health problems brought on by losing money.

• Victims have been known to suffer from physical risks, loss of their home, depression, and even some have contemplated, or attempted suicide.

Research (Milgram 1963, Blass 1991, Lubben et al 2015 and Baumeister et al 2008) has identified methods used by criminals to scam people using powerful psychological techniques. These tactics apply to all age groups and can appeal to anyone regardless of age, gender, education or economic background.

Understanding these techniques and tactics may help you understand how scams work and how you can best protect yourself.

1. Legitimacy: Scams may look legitimate and give the impression they have been sent by an official institution or an established reputable business. Research indicates that people are more likely to trust and obey authority figures (Milgram 1963, Blass 1991). Criminals use this insight to design communications that encourage compliance. Doorstep criminals often impersonate government officials or say they are from a recognisable organisation to legitimise the visit.

2. Exploitation of human desires: Research has highlighted that criminals exploit human desires and needs by offering, for example, high rewards combined with rapid deadlines to create a sense of urgency (OFT, 2009). These schemes are designed to appeal to human emotions such as excitement or fear that makes the person react quickly without looking at the content in too much detail.

3. Personalisation: Criminals often personalise scams making the victim feel that the offer is unique to them. Criminals will often encourage victims to reveal personal details that can be used by scammers. This includes names of friends and family, levels of equity in their home, securities or assets they own, charities they trust and their religious beliefs.

4. Target social isolation and loneliness: Many people (especially older people living alone) are experiencing high levels of social isolation and loneliness. Research has indicated that older adults who become socially isolated are extremely vulnerable to financial scams (Lubben et al., 2015). Many victims will perceive the criminals as friends, especially as this may be the only significant form of interaction they have either in person, over the phone or via correspondence and email. Criminals will play on this vulnerability and groom victims.

5. Encourage engagement: Scams are made to look enticing and may include rewards such as free gifts to engage the victim and make them feel complicit. Many scams ask people to comply in several, smaller steps. This makes them feel committed to continue sending money. A typical scam would, for example, ask someone to send a small amount of money and then follow up with repeated requests for larger sums, until the victim's savings are exhausted. A rogue trader may also utilise this technique, highlighting the need to undertake further repairs due to "newly" uncovered disrepair in the property. Research has shown that the longer a person is exposed to the scam and the longer they are engaged with the scam, the more likely it is that they will fall for the scam (Baumeister et al 2008).

6. Secrecy: Criminals urge secrecy in order to stop the person from discussing the scam with friends or family. This technique is designed to prevent the victim from seeking a second opinion or support. Research carried out in May 2009 by the University of Exeter for the Office of Fair Trading found that victims did often choose to keep their involvement in a scam secret from friends and family.
   
   

7. Doorstep scams tactics: Doorstep scams including rogue traders and distraction burglaries, differ from Mass Marketing scams in one important aspect: physical presence of the criminal at the victim's home. This allows the criminals to:

   1. Have face to face contact with the victim, often for lengthy periods, which allows them to build a rapport and gain the trust of the victim, especially if there are several visits.

   2. Use intimidation to a greater extent.

   3. Use physical force and violence.

   4. Have the opportunity to escort the individual to the bank.

   5. Have physical access to people’s property and belongings.

From this module, you have understood that criminals use sophisticated methods to encourage victims to respond to scams and prey on people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. Additionally, the experience of being scammed is deplorable; thus, if you do know anyone who has been scammed, do extend a helping hand to them.

In the following modules, we will explain and discern each and every type of scam. We will also teach you how to insure and protect yourself in each of these scenarios.

In the previous module, we spoke a bit about the devastating effects of being scammed. However, in this module, I will expound on them. I want all of you to come to terms with these egregious impacts of scams in order to ensure that you do not derail in the event of being scammed. Through this module, you will see that it is only natural to feel crestfallen after being scammed; nonetheless, there is no use of dwelling on it.

The theft of someone's money = no matter how large or small the amount - can be devastating and amounts to abuse of the victim in every sense: mentally, physically, and financially. Generally, the difficulty and potential cost of attempting to locate and bring the perpetrators of scams to justice is excessive. In our digital world where scams operate today, local or national law enforcement - wherever we live - will have no jurisdiction in other countries to address the quandary.

Firstly, let us discuss the psychological effects of scams. The psychological consequences of

fraud include: extreme discomfort, together with feelings of inadequacy and futility.

Scientific experiments, and research, shows frequent reactions felt by those beings can include embarrassment, loss of appetite, insomnia, shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, a sense of violation, grief, and suspicion at every level.

In extreme cases it can lead to suicidal thoughts by the victim. 'Romance' type scams - where the victim is 'groomed' - developing very personal relationships - can lead to victims doubly traumatised.

Another scam causing great emotional and financial stress to the person who gets caught up in them is the 'Lottery Winner' type. These frauds are primarily online scams with a lot of email text messages, and verbal exchanges, between both the victim and the scammer, which can cause a bond between the two - often lasting even when the scam is exposed. It can be likened to the well-known hostage 'Stockholm Syndrome'.

Then the physical effects of scams.

A UK study by AgeUK.org has revealed "Older victims are two point four (2.4) times more likely to die, or go into a care home, than those who are not scammed". The physical results of scamming - which in extreme cases may lead to the victim taking their life - includes

loss of appetite, insomnia, hypertension, weight loss, and potential loss of will to live.

Effects can cause a breakdown of previously happy relationships and potentially lead to domestic violence through unresolved anger management. Scams and frauds which result in substantial loss, such as superannuation being defrauded, or business failure, can also lead to isolation of the victim as they withdraw out of shame and embarrassment.

And by no means least, we note the financial effects of scams.

Most of the financial effects of scams and frauds are obvious as shown by empty bank accounts or massively increased credit card debt. But there are also less obvious effects, equally devastating to the victim. Frauds and scams can have a real impact on personal as well as business ability to survive. Whether the actual amount is small or large is really irrelevant. It is a matter of scale.

Any amount is an issue given the impossibility of ever recovering it, let alone actually locating the scammers. Apart from actual bank accounts, people have been known to draw out substantial amounts from superannuation funds resulting in no money available at retirement. Or, just as bad - raising large mortgages on the family home, or other property .. with no ability to repay when the scam is realised.

In some scams the victims have actually given up good long term employment as part

of the scam. For older people, there may be no opportunity to work again, or to re-establish any assets. In a very short time they have, from being able to manage financially, become one with the poorest in society - needing to rely on family, or charities for support.

The financial loss from being defrauded or scammed may cause extreme adjustments in lifestyle which may be immediate - or whilst the full impact may not be known

initially - it may be revealed many years later. Regardless, it is likely to be entirely negative.

In this module, you have learnt about the different adverse ramifications concerning scams. In the following modules, we will delineate each type of scam and explain how you can employ your wits to address them. Further, we will show you additional services you can ask help from when it comes to scams.

In this scam, you'll receive various pop ups on your devices, urging you to contact a certain number as your computer has been “compromised” by an external agency. This contact number will redirect you to a fraudster posing as an employee from a reputable firm, generally Microsoft, who magically has a solution to your quandary. And of course, just like an reputable firm would do, they will have to charge you and obtain your banking details. Never make payments in this situation. No legitimate company tech service department will ever contact you unsolicited.

How can you identify one of these scams? Well, below I have elucidated the same:

1. Firstly, they will ask you to give them remote access to your computer — which lets them access all information stored on it, and on any network connected to it

2. Then, they will either try to enrol you in a worthless computer maintenance or warranty program

   1. Install malware that gives them access to your computer and sensitive data, like user names and passwords

   2. Ask for credit card information so they can bill you for phony services or services available elsewhere for free

   3. Try to sell you software or repair services that are worthless or available elsewhere for free

   4. Direct you to websites and ask you to enter credit card, bank account, and other personal information

It is imperative you understand to immediately put down the phone when one of these fraudulent individuals calls you. In certain cases, they can directly contact you, stating you have an issue within your device. This is always erroneous, and block the caller immediately.

Additionally,

• You should always have a local accessible and trusted computer maintenance service and have them do any repairs or software updates. This will vary depending on the region you reside in. A computer maintenance service will perform malicious software removal and will scan for viruses within your device.

• Make sure you have regularly updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software to protect you and a good firewall, and only purchase software from a source that you know and trust.

• Remember - no one is able to log into your computer and report a fault in this manner.

  • So any unsolicited call or contact is automatically reason to hang up immediately or just simply ignore.

In this Module you will learn about the romance scam. You may have seen the Netflix series ; The tinder Swindler, the romance scam is a similar form of the scams happening in the Netflix Series.

These scams will occur to you in Dating or social media applications. Criminals will create and use a fake account to communicate with you and try to gain your love/ trust. The scammer will then try to create romance and trust between you. The scammers will text you in a way that will create a trust between you and it will make you think that they are a genuine caring person. Then they would try to propose you or make plans to meet you face to face in person and ask you to meet somewhere. Well, they won’t show up at the place they asked you to meet. Instead, they will ask you for money, the scammer will portray persuade you into believing that they are into a problem and will need money for it. Phycology thinking you would pay the scammer or share your bank details with the scammer. After paying the money, you will never hear back from the scammer and they must have blocked their account by then.

How can you identify one of these scams which might happen to you?

Firstly, the scammers will call you “honey” or “baby” or other words which will show their love for you. They would use language which people would not use with strangers.

Secondly, they will show their love for you too quickly, in a way like “I have found my soulmate” or “you belong in my life”. These type of text will occur to you from the scamsters in around of week of texting the scamster.

Thirdly, they will try to show that they are a very successful business man in a foreign country.

The scammer will also ask you to meet at an location but they would not show up.

It is imperative you understand to block and report that account. It could be that the scammer could approach you through another account but block and report that account as well. If an account tries to contact you and scam you, report to the law enforcement in your region as soon as possible and let them handle the case.

Additionally:

• Never share your bank accounts, identity details to a stranger. They could use it for fraud related purposes and cause trouble on your name.

• Make sure the account the person/ scammer is texting from looks genuine, such as the accounts posts, stories. Who follows the account check their profile.

In this Module, you will learn about the Jury scam. This type of scam can trick you into paying an unbelievable amount.

There will be scammers calling you or mailing you representing themselves as a court employee or law enforcement officer. They will tell you that you have missed your court date for a crime which you commited, in reality it may be that you have not committed a crime and there is no court date for you. Then they would say a warrant is out for your arrest. The scammer will propose to do 1 of these 3 things to you. They will either convince you to pay “a fine” to a dedicated bank account which is probably not in the region you're located in. The scammer could either ask you to buy a gift card and scratch the code and tell them the code so the scammer would receive the money through the code. Lastly, the scammer would try to get your identity for “registering it in the court system” and use it to create a bank account or for other reasons and forgive you for your fine and remove the warrant. These are the 3 ways a Juror scam would work. Once the funds of these confidential credentials are with them, the scammer will decline the call. By the time you call them back, the number would be closed and it's probably an illegal number which may not be registered in your region.

How can you identify these scams if they occur to you?

Firstly, the scammer would say that they are the same law enforcement officer or an employee at the court.

Secondly, the scammer would say you have missed your court date for some crime and that a warrant is out for your arrest.

Thirdly, they would try to ask you for any of these 3 things which are your identity details, a gift card or a fine to transfer to their bank account.

It is imperative that if such a scam happens to you, call your local law enforcement and let them know about this and share the number the scammer was calling from. Block the number the scammer was calling from as well.

Additionally,

• Never share your bank accounts, identity details to a stranger. They could use it for fraudential purposes and cause trouble on your name. Don't buy any gift cards requested by the scammer speaking on the call.

• Ask for the scammers name and ID number, call up the law enforcement and ask them about the scammers name and details, if its legit or not.

• If the scammer's ID has been crosschecked and if it's fake, block the contact number and share it with your law enforcement officers in the region you're situated in.

This scam is basically a swim swapping scam, it is when scammers will call your mobile carrier company and trick them into activating a sim card the scammers have. They will call through another number and claim that your number belongs to them and tell the sim card carrier company to activtate your number on the sim they are calling in. A SIM swap scam happens when criminals take over control of your phone by tricking your carrier to connect your phone number to a SIM card in their possession. These scammers basically take over control of your mobile phone’s number. When this happens, you will no longer be able to access your number and the scammer will be able to control your sim by hearing and recieveing calls, messages. This leads to them using your number to get access to your bank details, potentially removing money from your bank account. Scammers can also apply for loans and take that money through your number, note that they will also get your identity from your number so they could open bank accounts for their fruadeulent business and funds. Scammers will also use the OTP number to access your bank accounts and use the OTP code for various other reasons as well. These things could happen if your sim card number has been swapped or ported.

How can you identify these scams if they occur to you?

Firstly, If your sim card has been blocked and no calls or messages go through, call up the sim card carrier company immediately and let them know about this issue.

Secondly, most likely your number will be invalid once sim swapping has been proceded, so always tell the sim card carrier company not to change the sim to another number.

It is imperative that if such scam happens to you, call your local law enforcement and let them know about this and let them know about your sim number and its carrier company. Through that the law enforcement can contact the sim card carrier company and locate the scammer and arrest them.

Additionally,

• Put Sim lock, Once activated, your number cannot be ported to another line or carrier unless you remove the lock, either with a PIN or by walking into the store.

• Once your sim card has been blocked and no calls or messages go through, call up the sim card carrier company immediately and let them know about this issue. Also call the local law enforcement and let them know about your sim swapping scam and let them go forward with the case.

In this module you will learn about the CellPhone scam which could cost you upto millions and your identity. It is a Sim Swapping scam.

This scam is basically a swim swapping scam, it is when scammers will call your mobile carrier company and trick them into activating a sim card the scammers have. They will call through another number and claim that your number belongs to them and tell the sim card carrier company to activate your number on the sim they are calling in. A SIM swap scam happens when criminals take over control of your phone by tricking your carrier to connect your phone number to a SIM card in their possession. These scammers basically take over control of your mobile phone’s number. When this happens, you will no longer be able to access your number and the scammer will be able to control your sim by hearing and receiving calls, messages. This leads to them using your number to get access to your bank details, potentially removing money from your bank account. Scammers can also apply for loans and take that money through your number, note that they will also get your identity from your number so they could open bank accounts for their fraudulent business and funds. Scammers will also use the OTP number to access your bank accounts and use the OTP code for various other reasons as well. These things could happen if your sim card number has been swapped or ported.

How can you identify these scams if they occur to you?

Firstly, If your sim card has been blocked and no calls or messages go through, call up the sim card carrier company immediately and let them know about this issue.

Secondly, most likely your number will be invalid once sim swapping has been preceded, so always tell the sim card carrier company not to change the sim to another number.

It is imperative that if such a scam happens to you, call your local law enforcement and let them know about this and let them know about your sim number and its carrier company. Through that the law enforcement can contact the sim card carrier company and locate the scammer and arrest them.

Additionally,

• Put Sim lock, Once activated, your number cannot be ported to another line or carrier unless you remove the lock, either with a PIN or by walking into the store.

• Once your sim card has been blocked and no calls or messages go through, call up the sim card carrier company immediately and let them know about this issue. Also call the local law enforcement and let them know about your sim swapping scam and let them go forward with the case.

Stem cell treatments are becoming increasingly more popular although it is entirely unproven and experimental. The field of regenerative medicine is new and contentious. Academic researchers and significant biotech companies are putting effective treatments through high-profile, well-respected clinical trials, but there are also unregulated clinics that advertise stem cell injections that can treat everything from cerebral palsy to Alzheimer's disease without any supporting data.

The FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) has expressed its concerns about how some patients who are seeking stem cell-related cures and treatments are vulnerable and are illegal and might be potentially harmful.

Stem Cell treatments are currently most popular in the west in countries like America and are yet to fully pick up in other parts of the world.

Safety Concerns for Unproven Stem Cell Treatments

At the 2016 FDA-organised public workshop, there were several cases presented where there were severe cases of stem cell treatments.

Some of these examples include

1. Another patient received an injection in the spinal cord that caused the growth of a spinal tumour.

2. One patient became blind because of an injection of stem cells into the eye.

These types of scams can be stopped through the use of only the FDA, or any local medical agency's approval of the treatment, otherwise, there could be adverse and severe effects.