More Cognitive Biases – Part 3

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More Cognitive Biases – Part 3

(Last Updated On: April 24, 2023)

More Cognitive Biases – Part 3

Playing a Role In Your Vulnerability & Susceptibility To ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost.

The Psychology of ScamsPsychology Of Scams Psychology Of Scams is the study of the psychological or emotional effects of scams or financial fraud on victims of these crimes. It helps victims to better understand the impact of scams on them personally or on others. To find the SCARS articles on the Psychology of Scams, use the search option to enter the term and find them. – A SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS. Insight

More Cognitive Biases

This article is part of SCARS continuing commitment to helping the victims of scams (financial fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim.) to better understand the psychology of scams. In other words, why are victims vulnerable?

Cognitive Biases Discussed In This Article:

  • Overconfidence Cognitive Bias
  • Just-World Hypothesis Cognitive Bias
  • The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias

How Do Cognitive Biases Make People Vulnerable To Scams, Fraud, and Deception

How do cognitive biases play a role in making people vulnerable and susceptible to scams, fraud, and deception?

Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that allow people to make quick decisions and judgments based on their past experiences and memories. These biases can be helpful in many situations, as they allow people to process large amounts of information quickly and efficiently. However, they can also make people vulnerable to scams, fraud, and deception.

One reason why cognitive biases make people vulnerable to scams is that they can lead people to make judgments that are not based on evidence or logical reasoning. For example, Confirmation Bias (a major bias that makes people vulnerable) is the tendency to seek out and interpret information that supports one’s preexisting beliefs, while ignoring or dismissing information that contradicts them. This can make people more susceptible to scams that appeal to their beliefs or biases, as they are more likely to believe the scammerScammer A Scammer or Fraudster is someone that engages in deception to obtain money or achieve another objective. They are criminals that attempt to deceive a victim into sending more or performing some other activity that benefits the scammer.’s claims without critically evaluating the evidence.

There are several ways that people can protect themselves from scams, fraud, and deception. One way is to be aware of common cognitive biases and how they can affect decision-making. This can help people to be more mindful of their thought processes and to question their own judgments.

Another way to protect oneself is to be skeptical of claims and offers that seem too good to be true. It is important to carefully evaluate the evidence and to ask questions before making a decision. This can help people to avoid falling for scams that rely on emotional appeals or incomplete information.

It can also be helpful to seek out additional sources of information and to consult with trusted friends, family members, or professionals before making a decision. This can provide a more balanced perspective and help to identify any potential red flags.

Overall, cognitive biases can make people vulnerable to scams, fraud, and deception by leading them to make judgments that are not based on evidence or logical reasoning, and by causing them to make irrational or risky decisions. However, by being aware of these biases and taking steps to protect oneself, people can reduce their risk of falling victim to these types of scams.

Overconfidence Cognitive Bias

Overconfidence bias is a cognitive bias in which individuals overestimate their own abilities, knowledge, or performance in a particular area. This bias can lead individuals to have an inflated sense of their own skills, which can result in poor decision-making or overestimation of one’s own potential for success.

Overconfidence bias can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a lack of self-awareness, cognitive dissonance, and the influence of external factors such as culture and environment. It can also result from past successes or an over-reliance on intuition and gut feelings, rather than objective evidence.

The consequences of overconfidence bias can be significant, particularly in high-stakes situations such as investing, entrepreneurship, or leadership. For example, an overconfident entrepreneur may underestimate the risks associated with a new venture, leading to financial losses or business failure. An overconfident leader may make decisions that are not supported by the data or fail to take into account the perspectives of others, which can lead to poor organizational performance or low morale.

To mitigate the effects of overconfidence bias, individuals can take steps such as seeking out feedback from others, remaining open to alternative perspectives, and relying on objective data and evidence to inform decision-making. It is also important to develop self-awareness and recognize when one’s own biases may be influencing their judgments or actions.

The “I know better than you do” cognitive bias, also known as the “overconfidence bias,” is a tendency for individuals to overestimate their own knowledge, abilities, or expertise and to underestimate the knowledge, abilities, or expertise of others. This bias can lead individuals to believe that they are always right, even in situations where they lack relevant knowledge or experience.

The overconfidence bias can arise from a variety of factors, including a lack of self-awareness, a desire to prove oneself or gain recognition, and the influence of social or cultural norms that prioritize individualism or risk-taking over collaboration or deference to authority.

Individuals who exhibit this bias may be more likely to engage in behaviors that are not aligned with their actual abilities or to take unnecessary risks that could lead to negative outcomes. They may also be less likely to seek out feedback or advice from others, as they may believe that they already know the best course of action.

The overconfidence bias can have significant consequences in a variety of contexts, including decision-making, leadership, and interpersonal relationships. To mitigate the impact of this bias, individuals should strive to develop self-awareness, seek out diverse perspectives and expertise, and remain open to feedback and constructive criticism. Additionally, organizations and teams can foster a culture of collaboration and respect that encourages individuals to recognize and leverage each other’s strengths and expertise.

What is the difference between overconfidence bias and messiah or savior syndromeSyndrome It is a group of symptoms that can consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.?

Overconfidence bias and messiah or savior syndrome are related, but distinct psychological phenomena.

Overconfidence bias refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate their own abilities, knowledge, or performance in a particular area. This bias can lead individuals to have an inflated sense of their own skills, which can result in poor decision-making or overestimation of one’s own potential for success.

Messiah or savior syndrome, on the other hand, refers to the belief held by some individuals that they have a special mission, destiny, or calling to save or fix a particular group, organization, or society. This syndrome can lead individuals to become overly invested in their own vision or agenda, to the point where they may be unwilling to consider alternative perspectives or feedback.

While overconfidence bias and messiah or savior syndrome share some similarities, they are distinct psychological phenomena. Overconfidence bias is more focused on an individual’s assessment of their own abilities or performance, whereas messiah or savior syndrome is more focused on an individual’s sense of purpose or calling.

Both overconfidence bias and messiah or savior syndrome can lead individuals to make poor decisions or engage in behaviors that are not aligned with their actual abilities or the needs of the organization or society. It is important for individuals to recognize these biases and work to mitigate their effects through self-awareness, seeking out diverse perspectives, and remaining open to feedback and constructive criticism.

Just-World Hypothesis Cognitive Bias

The Just-World Hypothesis is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency of people to believe that the world is fundamentally just and that people get what they deserve.

This bias is based on the idea that good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people.

Of course, we know this is without merit and invalid, but this bias plays a large role in helping scamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. victims blameBlame Blame or Blaming is the act of censuring, holding responsible, making negative statements about an individual or group that their action or actions are socially or morally irresponsible, the opposite of praise. When someone is morally responsible for doing something wrong, their action is blameworthy. By contrast, when someone is morally responsible for doing something right, we may say that his or her action is praiseworthy. Blame imparts responsibility for an action or act, as in that they made a choice to perform that act or action. themselves.

Research suggested that people have a strong desire to believe that the world is just and that good things happen to good people. This desire is so strong that people will often go to great lengths to justify why bad things happen to other people, even if the explanations are not logically sound.

One way in which the Just-World Hypothesis manifests itself is through victim blamingVictim Blaming Victim blaming occurs when the victim of a crime or any wrongful act is held entirely or partially at fault for the harm that befell them. SCARS seeks to mitigate the prejudice against victims and the perception that victims are in any way responsible for the actions of offenders or scammers. There is historical and current prejudice against the victims of domestic violence and sex crimes, such as the greater tendency to blame victims of rape than victims of robbery. Scam victims are often blamed by family & friends for the crime. Scam victims also engage in self-blame even though they are not to blame.. When bad things happen to people, such as getting sick, losing their job, or being the victim of a crime, people often try to find a reason why it happened. One way they do this is by blamingBlaming Blame or Blaming is the act of censuring, holding responsible, making negative statements about an individual or group that their action or actions are socially or morally irresponsible, the opposite of praise. When someone is morally responsible for doing something wrong, their action is blameworthy. By contrast, when someone is morally responsible for doing something right, we may say that his or her action is praiseworthy. Blame imparts responsibility for an action or act, as in that they made a choice to perform that act or action. the victim, even if there is no evidence to suggest that the victim did anything to cause the event.

For example, a person who is sexually assaulted may be blamed for dressing provocatively, going out late at night, or drinking too much. Similarly, a person who is diagnosed with a serious illness may be blamed for not living a healthy lifestyle, even if there is no evidence to suggest that their lifestyle choices played a role in their illness.

Another example is scam victims, they would not have been scammed if they were not online, foolish, trusting strangers, etc. etc.

Victim blaming is a way for people to maintain their belief in the just world. By blaming the victim, they are able to convince themselves that bad things only happen to people who deserve it. This belief allows them to distance themselves from the event and feel less vulnerable to similar events happening to them.
Another way in which the Just-World Hypothesis manifests itself is through the belief in a meritocracy. A meritocracy is a system in which people are rewarded based on their merits, such as their abilities, talents, or hard work. People who believe in the just world often believe that the world operates as a meritocracy and that people who work hard and are talented will be rewarded with success and happiness.

However, this belief ignores the role that factors such as privilege, luck, and systemic inequalities can play in determining people’s outcomes. For example, a person who is born into a wealthy family may have more opportunities and resources available to them than someone who is born into poverty, regardless of their individual abilities or efforts.

However, the same applies to scam victims. Believers in a just world cannot easily accept that scam victims are not fundamentally to blame, even if they are the victim.

The belief in a just world can also lead to a lack of empathy for people who are less fortunate. People who believe that the world is just may view poverty, homelessness, or other social problems as the result of individual failings rather than systemic issues. They may see people who are struggling as lazy, unmotivated, or undeserving of help, rather than recognizing the complex social and economic factors that contribute to these problems.

The Just-World Hypothesis can also have negative consequences for people who are the victims of injustice. People who believe in the just world may be less likely to speak out against injustices, as they may believe that the victim somehow deserved what happened to them. This can create a culture of silence and acceptance around issues such as discrimination, harassment, and violence.

The Just-World Hypothesis is a complex cognitive bias that can have far-reaching implications for individuals and society as a whole. While it is natural for people to want to believe in a just world, it is important to recognize the limitations of this belief and to work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all people, regardless of their circumstances or background.

The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias

The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias refers to the tendency of people to interpret ambiguous or neutral behaviorBehavior   Behavior / Behavioral Actions Otherwise known as habits, behavior or behavioral actions are strategies to help prevent online exploitation that target behavior, such as social engineering of victims. Changing your behavior is the ONLY effective means to reduce or prevent scams. from others as intentionally hostile or negative.

This cognitive bias can manifest itself in various ways, such as interpreting a sarcastic comment as a personal attack or assuming that someone who disagrees with you is deliberately trying to upset you.

This is very often a traumaTrauma Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety or other emotional shocks, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. It’s not the objective circumstances that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized. Trauma requires treatment, either through counseling or therapy or through trauma-oriented support programs, such as those offered by SCARS. response that is triggered not by what the person actually said or did, but by the emotional triggersTRIGGERS A trigger is a stimulus that sets off a memory of a trauma or a specific portion of a traumatic experience. that remain from past traumas.

This is something that all scam victims, especially, have to be on guard for.

This cognitive bias can lead to a range of negative emotions and behaviors, such as angerAnger Anger, also known as wrath or rage, is an intense emotional state involving a strong uncomfortable and non-cooperative response to a perceived provocation, trigger, hurt or threat. About one-third of scam victims become trapped in anger for extended periods of time following a scam. A person experiencing anger will often experience physical effects, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Some view anger as an emotion that triggers a part of the fight or flight response. Anger becomes the predominant feeling behaviorally, cognitively, and physiologically. Anger can have many physical and mental consequences. While most of those who experience anger explain its arousal as a result of "what has happened to them", psychologists point out that an angry person can very well be mistaken because anger causes a loss in self-monitoring capacity and objective observability., resentment, and conflict. It can also contribute to the breakdown of relationships and the creation of hostile and confrontational environments in workplaces, schools, and other settings.

The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias is believed to have evolutionary roots, though this is not its sole cause. In prehistoric times, humans faced constant threats from predators and other hostile individuals, and it was essential to be able to quickly recognize and respond to potential threats. As a result, the brain developed a bias toward interpreting ambiguous or neutral behavior as hostile, in order to prioritize self-protection.

This is quite ironic because another cognitive bias that is the polar opposite is Stranger Trust! That is where we trust strangers far more than is justified.

While this cognitive bias may have been useful in the past, it can be problematic in modern society. The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications, as people may interpret neutral or ambiguous behavior as intentionally hostile or negative. This can create unnecessary conflict and tension in relationships, as well as damage the trust and rapport between people.

One way in which the Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias manifests itself is in the interpretation of nonverbal cues. For example, someone who is looking away or not making eye contact may be interpreted as being disinterested, deceptive, or hostile, when in reality they may be shy or nervous, or thinking of something at the same time. Similarly, a person who speaks in a monotone or quiet voice may be interpreted as being angry or upset, when in reality they may simply be tired or unwell.

Another way in which the Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias can manifest itself is in the interpretation of written communication. For example, a brief or curt email may be interpreted as being intentionally rude or dismissive, when in reality the sender may simply be busy or preoccupied. Similarly, a sarcastic or humorous comment may be interpreted as being intentionally hurtful or critical, when in reality the sender may have intended it as a harmless joke (as long as it is not a culturally insensitive or demeaning joke.)

The Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias can also contribute to the development of stereotypes and prejudices. When people are exposed to negative or hostile behavior from members of a particular group, they may begin to associate that behavior with the entire group. This can lead to the development of stereotypes and prejudices, which can in turn lead to further misunderstandings and conflicts.

To overcome the Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias, it is important to be aware of its existence and to consciously challenge negative interpretations of ambiguous or neutral behavior. This can involve taking a step back and considering alternative explanations for the behavior, such as shyness, tiredness, or distraction. It can also involve actively seeking out positive interpretations of behavior, such as assuming that someone who disagrees with you is simply expressing their opinion, rather than trying to upset you.

However, it is important not to blindly dismiss hostile or inappropriate behavior, as most scam victims know only too well.

Another way to overcome the Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias is to practice empathy and perspective-taking. This involves trying to understand the other person’s perspective and motivations, rather than assuming the worst about their behavior. By practicing empathy and perspective-taking, it is possible to create a more positive and productive environment in which misunderstandings are less likely to occur.

Being mindful and looking hard at your own reaction is a good way to determine if your own reaction was the result of a triggerTRIGGERS A trigger is a stimulus that sets off a memory of a trauma or a specific portion of a traumatic experience., a bias, or a bad day can be very important.

In the final analysis, the Hostile Attribution Cognitive Bias is a cognitive bias that can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and the breakdown of relationships. By becoming aware of this bias and actively challenging negative interpretations of behavior, it is possible to create a more positive and productive environment in which people can communicate effectively and build positive relationships based on trust and mutual understanding.

Summary

Cognitive biases do make people more vulnerable to scams, fraud, and deception by causing them to ignore warning signs, pay more attention to information that supports their preexisting beliefs, rely on incomplete information, and anchor their decisions to easy and often incorrect information.

By being aware of these biases and making an effort to overcome them, people can be better equipped to avoid falling victim to scams and other forms of deception.

More About Cognitive Biases & Vulnerabilities

SCARS the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated

This article is by:
SCARSSociety of Citizens Against Relationship ScamsSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS. Inc.

A government-registeredgovernment-registered It means to be registered with departments or agencies of the government. In the case of SCARS, we are registered with state and federal governments in the United States, Europe & Asia. SCARS is registered as a crime victims' assistance nonprofit with agencies of the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. And is incorporated in the State of Florida as a nonprofit corporation. scams & financial fraud crime victims assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization headquartered in Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with partners in more than 60 countries worldwide
If you are a Victim sign up for our FREE SCARS Support GroupsSupport Groups In a support group, members provide each other with various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial, for a particular shared, usually burdensome, characteristic, such as romance scams. Members with the same issues can come together for sharing coping strategies, to feel more empowered and for a sense of community. The help may take the form of providing and evaluating relevant information, relating personal experiences, listening to and accepting others' experiences, providing sympathetic understanding and establishing social networks. A support group may also work to inform the public or engage in advocacy. They can be supervised or not. SCARS support groups are moderated by the SCARS Team and or volunteers. at support.AgainstScams.org
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Our managed peer supportPeer support Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening (reflecting content and/or feelings), or in a support group. Peer support is also used to refer to initiatives where colleagues, members of self-help organizations and others meet, in person or online, to give each other connection and support on a reciprocal basis. Peer support is distinct from other forms of social support in that the source of support is a peer, a person who is similar in fundamental ways to the recipient of the support; their relationship is one of equality. A peer is in a position to offer support by virtue of relevant experience: he or she has "been there, done that" and can relate to others who are now in a similar situation. Trained peer support workers such as SCARS Volunteers receive special training and may be required to obtain Continuing Education Units, similar to clinical staff. Some other trained peer support workers may also be law-enforcement personnel and firefighters as well as emergency medical responders. groups allow victims to talk to other survivorsSurvivor A Scam Survivor is a victim who has been able to fully accept the reality of their situation. That they were the victim of a crime and are not to blame. They are working on their emotional recovery and reduction of any trauma either on their own, through a qualified support organization, or through counseling or therapy. And has done their duty and reported the crime to their local police, national police, and on Anyscam.com and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!

SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informedTrauma-Informed Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” A trauma-informed approach to care acknowledges that health care needs to have a complete picture of a patient’s life situation — past and present — in order to provide effective care services with a healing orientation. Adopting trauma-informed practices can potentially improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, and health outcomes. care, grief counselingCounseling Counseling is the professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes. A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor, is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Such persons may help individuals deal with issues associated with addiction and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. They may also work with "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists". SCARS does not provide mental health counseling., and so much more!

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This program is designed to help scam victims struggling to recover on their own and for those who want to understand the overall process. You can be using other resources, such as trauma counseling or therapy, qualified support groups, or completely independent – on your own!

The SCARS Steps program is a complete program and is provided for the purpose of helping scam victims to overcome this experience. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues and challenges that a victim may have and help guide them through their recovery. But each person is different and it is important to understand your own reasons for being vulnerable to being scammed.

After the trauma of being scammed, you need to take steps to recover and move on. This may be an alternative to counseling in the short term, but we still encourage you to seek out professional help & support. Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues, challenges, defects, or problems that a victim may have in a generalized way.

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The SCARS Slate Book should be purchased by family and friends to better understand what happened to the victim and the traumatic impact on them. But it can also be shared by the victim so that they do not have to explain to family and friends about the scam. This publication is to help others to help Scam Victims to make it through this traumatic experience and recover.

Each person is different and it is important to understand how relationship scamsRelationship Scam A Relationship Scam is a one-to-one criminal act that involves a trust relationship and uses deception & manipulation to get a victim to give to the criminal something of value, such as money! Click here to learn more: What Is A Relationship Scam? work and why people are vulnerable; to being scammed, how they were lured in, then groomed and manipulated. This understanding is essential in helping them through the process of ending the scam and then on to recovery. The SCARS Slate Book will provide the information necessary to help support a victim through this process.

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Updated SCARS RomanceScamsNow.com Posts:

Push Payment Scams

Push PaymentPush Payment An Authorized Push Payment (APP) refers to a type of financial transaction that involves the transfer of money from one bank account to another, initiated by the account holder or an authorized party. It typically occurs through the use of mobile banking apps, online payment platforms, or other electronic means. In an APP, the account holder provides explicit consent or authorization for the payment to be made. This distinguishes it from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions, where the account holder is unaware of or did not give consent for the payment. APPs are commonly used for various purposes, such as paying bills, making purchases, transferring funds to friends or family, and settling financial obligations. They provide a convenient and efficient way to transfer money electronically, eliminating the need for physical cash or paper-based payment methods. It's worth noting that while authorized push payments are generally legitimate transactions, there can be instances of scams or fraudulent activities where individuals are tricked into authorizing payments unknowingly or under false pretenses. It is important to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of requests before authorizing any APP. Scams Push Payment Scams Are A Newer [...]

Money Mules Initiative by the United States Department of Justice

Money MulesMoney mules Money mules are a type of money laundering where a person transfers illicit funds through a medium (such as a bank account) to obfuscate where the money came from. There are different types of money mules including witting, unwitting, and complicit. Initiative An Initiative by the United States Department [...]

SMS Pumping Fraud/Scams

SMS Pumping Fraud A Telecom-Based CybercrimeCybercrime Cybercrime is a crime related to technology, computers, and the Internet. Typical cybercrime are performed by a computer against a computer, or by a hacker using software to attack computers or networks. How Scams Work [...]

AI – Deception for Sale

AIAI Artificial intelligence (AI) is wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence. - Deception for Sale AI Chatbots, Deepfakes, and [...]

Open Letter To Local Police Officers & Police Leadership

Open Letter To Local PoliceLocal Police The Local Police is your first responder in most countries. In most English-speaking countries and in Europe report to them first. In other countries look for your national cybercrime police units to report scams to. In the U.S., Canada, & Australia, you must report to the local police first. Officers & Police Leadership [...]

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