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Fraud Ambassadors. Unpacking a Con. Why are people attracted to scams?. How A Scam Works. Make Contact with Victim Gain Victim’s Confidence Play the Con Take the money and run. Act One: Make Contact with the Victim. Mail and email Phone Web sites Social networking sites Advertising
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Fraud Ambassadors Unpacking a Con
How A Scam Works • Make Contact with Victim • Gain Victim’s Confidence • Play the Con • Take the money and run
Act One: Make Contact with the Victim • Mail and email • Phone • Web sites • Social networking sites • Advertising • Want ads • In Person
Act Two: Gain the Victim’s Confidence • Introduce and develop the scam • Shape the victim’s questions and then answer them • Appeal to the victim’s desire to believe
Act Three: Play the Con • Use the ploys needed to keep the victim involved • Keep the sense of urgency in play • Take the money and run
Act Four: Take the Money and Run • Collect an advance fee • Use a wire transfer • Send a fake check
About the Con • The scam is like a soap opera; a plot that could take days, weeks, or months to unfold. • Just like any drama, it is well planned and the actors are convincing.
Warning Signs Dialogue: What signals alert you that a phone call, mail or email could be a scam?
Putting it all together… When you are able to deconstruct the hoax, and recognize the scams and ploys of a con artist, you are less vulnerable to fraud.
It’s Showtime… Following are some examples of the most common scams.
Romance “I think we should meet so we can strengthen our relationship, but I will need your help with the airfare.”
Online Purchase Never wire money to a seller or any other person you do not know. Use an escrow service or a credit card instead.
Overpayment “The cashier’s check is for more than you asked for the motorcycle. It was my mistake. Please take the money I owe you and wire the remaining money back to me.”
Advance Fee Scammers pose as representatives from authentic companies, using spoofed documents, email, mail or websites to collect personal information. Victims are charged “fees” in exchange for loans, credit cards, grants or investments.
Advance Fee: The Lost Inheritance “We are so glad to have finally found you. Your long-lost great uncle died and you are the only living relative. You have inherited a large sum of money.”
Grandparent or Emergency Scam “Your grandchild has been in an accident in a foreign country. He needs your help to pay for medical care. Please wire money to…”
You’ve Won the Lottery “All you need to do is wire money to pay the taxes and handling fees and your check for $5,000,000 will be wired to you immediately.”
Taxes or Investment “Pay your back taxes or you will be arrested.”
Anti-virus A fraudster pretends to be from a well-known computer or software company. The victim is told that a virus has been detected on their computer and that it can be removed for a fee.
Advice to a Friend Dialogue: What advice would you give a friend who is caught up in an advance fee fraud and wants you to “get in on a great deal?”
Never-evers…. Protect yourself by making informed decisions and following these tips:
Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on lottery or prize winnings.
Never send money for an emergency situation without verifying that it’s a real emergency.
Never send money in advance to obtain a loan or credit card.
Never send funds from a check deposited in your account until it officially clears.
Never send an individual a money transfer for an online purchase.
Never reveal your banking information to people or businesses you don’t know.
Remember… The key to avoiding fraud is understanding how it works.
Thank you NCL thanks Western Union for sponsoring this educational project to enlist LifeSmarts students as Fraud Ambassadors who educate members of their communities about fraud.
