How to resist the psychological influence of scammers

[Student]

Everyone knows about phone scams. They're featured on TV and written about online, including on the websites of major banks. However, people fall for these scams time and time again, explaining that they felt hypnotized. The fact is, scammers use psychological manipulation, and you need to learn how to resist it.
Bank analysts found that telephone scammers account for 90% of fraudulent schemes targeting Russians. The schemes used by scammers are widely reported. Nevertheless, the number of fraudulent calls is growing — in 2022, there were an average of 5 million per day, and in June 2023, there were already 8.6 million per day. And yet, citizens continue to believe the stories concocted by scammers.
Why does this happen? Why is it so difficult to combat fraudulent methods? Let's take a closer look.

Trusting relationships​

To establish rapport, scammers address you by your first name and patronymic, repeating them throughout the conversation. They speak politely, calmly, and confidently. If you provide additional information about yourself (for example, that you're retired), they'll immediately play that card. They might respond that this is precisely why they're concerned about your savings, since they're obviously very valuable to you.

A call from a significant person​

Telephone scammers pose as employees of reputable organizations: bank security services, the police, the FBI, the bank, and so on.. To make their claims more convincing, they identify themselves by their first name, patronymic, and last name, and their job title is often described as "chief specialist" or "major."

Fear of loss or persecution​

The next step is to play on a fundamental human fear: the fear of loss. When you're told someone is trying to steal money from your account or a loved one is in trouble, you become nervous and lose the ability to think rationally. Recently, the fear of loss has been compounded by the fear of persecution — scammers claim that money from your account is being transferred to the Ukrainian army, and you could be accused of treason.

Don't give time to think​

Once you've been hooked, the scammer's goal is to leave you no time to think things through. The perpetrator takes the initiative:

• asks short questions,
• is in a hurry,
• doesn't let me concentrate,
• prohibits consulting with relatives or friends.

Intimidation​

If you hesitate, the scammers resort to intimidation. For example, they say you should never hang up, otherwise your money will be transferred to another account (what's the point?) or your troubled relative will end up in jail. Posing as police officers, they threaten criminal liability for refusing to cooperate with law enforcement. The goal of intimidation is the same: to prevent you from collecting your thoughts.

What phrases do only scammers use?​

Fortunately, scammers operate according to scripts that clearly specify the phrases they should use. You can identify them by these phrases. Here are the main ones:

Fraudsters' phrase​	Why this is not true​
Let's clarify your details: please provide your passport number and bank card number.	A real bank employee sees all the client's data, information about his accounts and the amount of money in them in the information system.
How many accounts do you have in our bank?
Check the balance of each of your accounts.
What other banks do you have accounts with?	Banks operate autonomously; an employee of one bank cannot influence what is happening in another bank.
We need to file a complaint regarding fraudulent activity. Should we file a regular complaint or an emergency one?	If the bank suspects that fraudulent activity is being committed with your account, it will block the account without any request.
All information about your personal account is blocked.	Excellent! That means you can safely go to the bank office and find out everything.
You must not inform anyone about this operation, otherwise you will be subject to criminal liability (different articles of the Criminal Code may be mentioned here).

Let's look at the most common scammer scenarios and use examples to understand the manipulative techniques they use.

A relative in trouble​

You receive a call from an unknown number. The caller claims to be your son, daughter, or another loved one. They say they've been detained by the police. Most often, it's about a traffic accident or a fight. Then a supposed police officer joins the conversation and says they're willing to help, but you need to hand over a certain amount of money. If you refuse, your relative or friend faces prison ( Fear of loss or persecution ). You must hand over the money immediately, because it will be too late (No time to think).

Another variation of the "relative in need" scenario​

You receive a text message or instant message asking you to transfer money to a phone number. The scammers explain that the number is unfamiliar to you by claiming that your son or daughter is in trouble, has lost their phone, and is desperately seeking your help (fear of loss).

A call from the security service, police, FBI, Bank, government agencies​

You receive a call from an unknown number, addressed by your first name and patronymic (a relationship of trust), introduced as a bank security officer or a senior specialist at the Bank (a call from a significant person), and told that someone tried to withdraw money from your card (fear of loss). To prevent this, you must immediately confirm your bank card details and provide the code from the SMS (to give you no time to think). If you don't do this immediately, the money will be debited (intimidation).

Another scenario: scammers pose as police or FBI officers (a call from a significant person)​

Fraudsters claim a loan has been issued in your name, that they're trying to steal your money, or that you must participate in a criminal investigation (fear of loss or persecution). To save your money or assist in the investigation, you must immediately transfer it to a secure account they provide. Since the operation is secret, you must not tell anyone about it (intimidation).

Your card is blocked​

You receive an SMS or a message via messenger stating that your bank card has been blocked (fear of loss). For more information, you're asked to call a specific number. If you call back, you're informed that the bank has experienced a technical issue and that to reactivate your card, you must provide its number, PIN, or CVV/CVC/CVP code, followed by a code sent to your number via SMS. If you do this, the scammers will easily withdraw all your money.

They are trying to withdraw money from your company's bank account.​

Fraudsters target not only individuals but also organizations. A company's chief accountant receives a call from the police (a call from a significant person) informing them that their passport information has been stolen and that someone is attempting to steal money from the organization's account (fear of loss or persecution). Therefore, they urgently need to transfer the money to a secure account. To do this correctly, they need to install a special app on their phone. Once the app is installed, the scammers gain control over the accountant's actions. The accountant transfers money from the organization's account to their bank card, and then to the scammers' accounts.

How to resist the influence of telephone scammers?​

Now that you know the tactics scammers use, it will be easier to resist them. Remember the most important things:

• Before following any instructions received over the phone, take a break, take three deep breaths, call loved ones and discuss the situation with them.
• If someone calls you on behalf of a relative or friend asking you to transfer money, contact them personally. Even if they don't answer the phone, that's not a reason to transfer the money immediately. Wait for them to call back or find them through mutual contacts.
• Your bank account details, card number, PIN code or CVV/CVC/CVP code, SMS code and any other information required for making a bank transfer must not be disclosed to anyone.
• You can never be sure that the person calling you is who they say they are. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the organization that is calling you back.
• Neither banks, nor the police, nor any other organizations resolve issues over the phone, especially urgent ones. Even if you're threatened with criminal liability for refusing to cooperate, be aware that telephone threats have no legal force. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the organization that called you back.

(c) Source

 

[chushpan]

Here is a comprehensive and detailed guide on resisting the psychological influence of scammers, delving deep into the mechanics of manipulation and providing a robust framework for defense.

Understanding the Scammer's Playbook: The Psychology of Manipulation​

Scammers are not just criminals; they are practical psychologists who exploit well-documented cognitive biases and emotional triggers. Their entire strategy is to bypass your logical, critical thinking and put you in a state where you react on emotion and impulse.

Here are the core psychological principles they weaponize:

1. Urgency and Pressure:

• The Mechanism: This triggers the human "fight-or-flight" response. When faced with an imminent threat (like a frozen bank account) or a disappearing opportunity, your brain releases cortisol and adrenaline. This physiological state is designed for rapid reaction, not for careful, analytical thought. The prefrontal cortex — the center of rational decision-making — is effectively sidelined.
• Scammer's Script: "You must act in the next 10 minutes." "Your package will be returned if you don't confirm your address now." "This is your final warning before legal action."

2. Authority and Intimidation:

• The Mechanism: Humans have a deep-seated, often automatic, respect for authority figures, a tendency famously explored in the Milgram experiments. Scammers exploit this by impersonating entities we are conditioned to obey or fear: the IRS, FBI, local police, tech support giants (Microsoft, Apple), or your bank. The use of official-sounding jargon, spoofed caller IDs, and a tone of unquestionable authority makes compliance feel like the path of least resistance.
• Scammer's Script: "This is Officer Smith from the IRS. There is a warrant for your arrest due to tax fraud." "This is Microsoft Security. We have detected a critical virus on your computer."

3. Social Proof and Scarcity:

• The Mechanism: This is a double-pronged attack on our social nature. Social Proof (or herd mentality) makes us assume that if many others are doing something, it must be correct and safe. Scarcity plays on our Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), making a product, service, or opportunity seem more valuable because it is limited.
• Scammer's Script: "Hundreds of people in your area have already claimed their prize." "This government grant is only available for the next five callers." (In romance scams, they create artificial scarcity: "I have many suitors, but I chose you.")

4. Rapport and Relationship Building (The "Long Con"):

• The Mechanism: This is a slow, calculated process of building trust and likability. In romance scams (or "pig butchering") or grandparent scams, the scammer invests time — days, weeks, even months — to create a powerful emotional bond. This triggers the principle of reciprocity (you feel you owe them) and liking (you are more likely to help someone you care for). The eventual request for money feels like helping a loved one, not paying a stranger.
• Scammer's Script: "I've never felt a connection like this before." (Romance) "Grandma, I'm in trouble and I'm scared. The lawyer said not to tell my parents." (Grandparent)

5. The "Foot-in-the-Door" Technique:

• The Mechanism: This is a gradual commitment strategy. By getting you to agree to a small, harmless initial request ("Can you just confirm your name?"), they psychologically get you to say "yes." This creates a self-perception of being a "helpful" or "compliant" person. When the subsequent, much larger request comes ("I need you to buy $2,000 in gift cards"), it becomes cognitively dissonant to refuse after you've already started helping.
• Scammer's Script: "First, I just need you to verify your date of birth." -> "Now, to secure the funds, we need a small insurance fee." -> "There's been a complication, we need a second payment for taxes."

6. Problem-Solution Framing:

• The Mechanism: The scammer creates an artificial crisis that only they have the power to solve. They first induce a state of fear, panic, or confusion (the "problem" — a virus, an arrest warrant, a compromised account). Then, they immediately position themselves as the sole provider of the "solution." This creates a dependency, making the victim see the scammer as a helper rather than a threat.
• Scammer's Script: "Your computer is sending error reports to our server!" (Problem) -> "But I can talk you through the fix right now." (Solution)

Building Your Psychological Armor: A Multi-Layer Defense Strategy​

Resisting these tactics requires a proactive and layered approach to your own thinking and habits.

Layer 1: The Instant Defense Protocol (The "RED LIGHT" Method)​

When confronted with any unsolicited contact, run through this mental checklist.

• R - RECOGNIZE THE HOOK. What is the primary emotion the contact is trying to elicit? Fear? Greed? Urgency? Curiosity? Naming the emotion is the first step in disarming it. Ask yourself: "Why am I feeling so panicked/ excited right now?"
• E - EVALUATE THE SOURCE. How did this person/entity contact me?
  • Unsolicited Contact is a Red Flag: Did you call them? Did you apply for that job? Did you enter that lottery? If not, your default assumption should be that it's a scam.
  • Check for Spoofing: Caller ID and email addresses can be faked. Do not trust them.
• D - DELAY IMMEDIATELY. This is the single most powerful weapon against urgency. Create a mandatory cooling-off period.
  • Script to use: "I do not make decisions under pressure. I will need to call you back after I have reviewed this." A legitimate entity will respect this. A scammer will become aggressive, threatening, or try to keep you on the line.
• L - LEAVE THE CHANNEL. Hang up the phone. Close the browser tab. Delete the email. Do not engage in a debate. The longer you stay on the line, the more ammunition the scammer has to manipulate you.
• I - INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY. This is your reality check. Do not use any contact information (phone number, website link) provided by the potential scammer.
  • Example: If "Amazon" calls about a suspicious order, hang up. Log into your Amazon account directly via the app or by typing amazon.com into your browser. Check your order history. Or call the customer service number listed on the official website.
• G - GET A SECOND OPINION. Scammers rely on isolation. Break their spell by telling the story to a friend, family member, or colleague. The act of verbalizing the scenario — "A general in Syria emailed me to help transfer $10 million..." — often exposes its absurdity.
• H - HALT & HARDEN YOUR HEART. Before any financial or personal data decision, ask: "Am I feeling Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?" These emotional states make you significantly more vulnerable to manipulation. Also, practice saying "No" without apology. You owe a stranger nothing.

Layer 2: Cultivating Long-Term Mental Resilience​

• Adopt a "Trust, But Verify" Mindset: Healthy skepticism is not cynicism; it is intelligence. Make verification a default habit. For any significant offer or problem, ask: "What is the independent, third-party proof?"
• Educate Yourself Continuously: Scams evolve. Make it a habit to periodically read the consumer news sections of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Knowing about the latest "pig butchering" or "phantom debt collection" scam is like having a vaccine for your brain.
• Master Your Digital Hygiene:
  • Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all important accounts.
  • Be wary of oversharing on social media. Scammers use your vacation photos, family member names, and job history to build rapport and guess security questions.
• Understand the Economics of Scams: Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it is. There is no prince who needs your help. You cannot win a lottery you didn't enter. No legitimate job will send you a check to buy equipment before you start.

Layer 3: Advanced Scenarios and Scripted Responses​

• The "Grandparent Scam":
  • Scammer: "Grandma, it's me! I'm in jail/hospital and need bail money! Don't tell Mom and Dad!"
  • Your Defense: Ask a question only the real grandchild would know, e.g., "What is the name of our family pet?" OR simply say, "I'm going to hang up and call your mother right now to help you." Then, call your actual family member on a known number.
• The "Tech Support" Pop-up/Voice Call:
  • Scammer: (Via a browser pop-up that won't close) "Your computer is infected! Call 1-800-... immediately!"
  • Your Defense: Do not call. This is the scam. Do not click anywhere on the pop-up. Force-quit your browser (Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows, Command+Option+Esc on Mac). If that fails, restart your computer. Run a scan with your own, pre-installed antivirus software.
• The "Romance Scammer":
  • Red Flags: They quickly want to move communication off the dating platform; they have a profile that seems too perfect; they have constant, dramatic stories that prevent meeting; they never do a live video call (or it's very choppy and brief); eventually, they have a financial emergency.
  • Your Defense: Never send money. Reverse-image search their profile pictures. Suggest a specific, simple video call. Their excuses will be immediate and elaborate.

The Ultimate Rule: The Prefrontal Cortex is Your Best Defense​

The common thread in all scammer tactics is the suppression of the prefrontal cortex. Your mission is to actively re-engage it. When you feel that surge of urgency, fear, or excitement, that is your cue to STOP, SLOW DOWN, and THINK.

It is a hundred times better to mistakenly hang up on one legitimate call (a true authority will find another way to contact you) than to fall for one clever scam and suffer devastating financial and emotional loss. By understanding the psychology behind the manipulation, you transform from a potential victim into an informed, resilient individual who is exceptionally difficult to exploit.