how scams work
Who Is Likely to Become a Victim?
Most of us think we have enough common sense to avoid being taken in by a con artist. But is this true? Which of these people is most likely to fall prey to a scam?
- A 25 year old single mother who is having trouble making ends meet.
- A 40 year old man who routinely purchases stock online.
- An 82 year old widow who lives alone.
ANY of these people -- and ANY of us -- could be victimized by a scam. People who are isolated or live by themselves have an increased risk. That’s one reason elderly consumers are sometimes targeted. Those who rely heavily on their own experience to make decisions or who are overly confident may also be susceptible. Finally consumers who hope to gain instant wealth, who have serious money problems, or who have recently suffered a major loss may be more vulnerable to their ploys.