“It's just old people who do that, right?” How many times have we heard these words when talking about phone scams, especially shock calls and the infamous grandchild trick ? And how often is the implicit message: “It’s your own fault, you should have been more careful” ? But it's time to challenge this mindset and shine a light on the reality of this silent war against phone fraud.
“I am your grandson”: the infamous grandson trick
A unique method of deception
Fraudsters are clever. They use technology, human emotions and, in many cases, our willingness to help, to deceive us. They don't do this out of boredom, but because it's their job. They get paid to do it, are well trained, and spend all day doing it.
The grandchild trick is a vivid example. The scammer calls and pretends to be a grandchild in need who urgently needs money. He sounds convincing, he begs, he cries, he uses just the right words, and unfortunately far too many people fall for it.
Victims don’t “have themselves to blame”
One thing is clear: the victims are not “to blame themselves”. Why not? Because the scammers know exactly what they are doing. They are experts at building trust and tricking their victims into transferring money. They cleverly manipulate people's feelings and take advantage of their concern for relatives. They are well trained, practice their scams day after day and constantly perfect their methods.
Shock Calls: A Call That Could Change Your Life
The structure of the deception
Shock calls are another method scammers use to try to scam us. They call and pretend that something terrible has happened. For example, that a relative has had an accident or is in trouble and urgently needs help. They even pretend to be police officers and demand money for bail.
They are very good at choosing the right tone, speed and timing of their words for maximum shock effect. Because of the shock, people can no longer think clearly and often act without thinking.
Overcome vulnerability
As with the grandchild trick, the victims of such shock calls are not to blame. You are in a vulnerable position and in an emotionally stressful situation. They believe they are acting in the best interests of their loved ones and do exactly what the scammers want them to do.
Together against telephone fraud: How to protect yourself
Education and awareness
The first step to protecting yourself from phone scams is raising awareness and education. Do you know what methods fraudsters use and how they operate? Have you ever thought about how you would react if you received a call like this? It is important to be aware that these calls may occur and to be prepared.
Verification and confirmation
Another important step is to always reassure and confirm. If someone claims to be a relative in need, call them back at a number you know. If someone claims to be from the police, call the police at their official number to confirm the information. Never allow yourself to be pressured to act immediately.
Together we stand strong
Ultimately, the fight against telephone fraud lies with all of us. We must educate, inform and be constantly vigilant. We must not forget that the victims of these crimes are not “their own fault” but were deceived by well-trained, professional fraudsters.
Together, we can combat this fraud by strengthening our communities and creating an environment where everyone is able to recognize and properly respond to a fraud attempt. Ultimately, no one is immune to fraud, and we all have a responsibility to protect each other.
Finally, remember that anyone can become a victim of fraud and no one deserves to be held responsible. Let's work together to stop scammers and create a safe environment for all of us.
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