Social engineering secrets that everyone needs to know (part 2)
Cognitive Biases That Will Get You Scammed
In the complex web of human interactions, our innate psychological tendencies often play a pivotal role in shaping our decisions and actions. Cognitive biases, while serving as useful shortcuts for processing information, can also make us vulnerable to manipulation, especially in the hands of skilled scammers. The art of deception has evolved, with scammers leveraging these biases to exploit the unwary. Recognising and understanding these biases is not just an exercise in psychology; it is a crucial line of defence in the ongoing battle against fraud.
P.T. Barnum's infamous remark, "There is a sucker born every minute," though harsh, underscores a timeless truth about human vulnerability to scams. This vulnerability is often not a result of lack of intelligence but of the psychological manipulations that play on our cognitive biases. In an era where scams proliferate, understanding the mechanisms of these biases - such as the law of reciprocity, the Good Samaritan instinct, and the susceptibility to pretexting/impersonation - becomes essential.
Each of these biases taps into fundamental aspects of human behaviour: our desire to reciprocate kindness, our urge to help others, and our tendency to trust those who appear authoritative or familiar. Scammers exploit these tendencies, weaving them into their deceptive practices to lure victims into their traps. Developing a healthy level of scepticism and a habit of scrutinising our impulses and the situations we find ourselves in can serve as powerful tools in avoiding scams.
By becoming familiar with the most commonly exploited cognitive biases, we arm ourselves with knowledge. This knowledge not only aids in recognising potential scams but also empowers us to make informed decisions, thereby reducing our chances of falling victim to the cunning tactics of fraudsters. Let us delve into these biases, not with paranoia, but with the aim of cultivating a cautious awareness that safeguards our interests and well-being.
The Law of Reciprocity
It is common human behaviour to want to return a favour if someone does something nice for us. This can become a default mechanism, but sometimes you really do not want to do so. This natural response can get you into a lot of trouble, so take a moment to step back and ask yourself if this is really something you want to do.
A good example of the law of reciprocity at play, particularly in a foreign country while on holiday, can be observed in local shops. Imagine you are wandering through a quaint street, exploring local boutiques and eateries, when a shop owner warmly invites you inside, offering a free cup of tea as a gesture of hospitality. Delighted by this friendly welcome and perhaps eager to immerse yourself in the local culture, you accept the tea.
As you enjoy the beverage, you might begin to feel an implicit pressure to reciprocate the shop owner's kindness. Even though the tea was presented as a free gift, the underlying social contract invoked by the law of reciprocity compels you to buy something from the store. This scenario is particularly effective in tourist areas, where local business owners understand that tourists are often more susceptible to these social norms of reciprocation, especially when they are keen to leave a positive impression or express gratitude for the hospitality received.
This tactic leverages the psychological obligation created by receiving a gift, however small, making you more likely to make a purchase you had not initially planned on. Recognising this dynamic allows you to consciously decide whether you genuinely want to buy something as a form of reciprocation or if you are doing so out of a sense of obligation. Being aware of how the law of reciprocity can influence your decisions, especially in the context of a seemingly benign interaction like receiving a free tea or coffee, can help you navigate these situations with more autonomy, ensuring that any purchase you make is truly because you want to, not because you feel you have to.
The Good Samaritan
Helping others is a good thing, but make sure that by doing it you do not expose yourself to harm. Most people want to help others, and sadly this is exploited by criminals. There are so many ways a criminal can try to take advantage, so make sure that if you agree to help, you are not isolating yourself and leaving yourself vulnerable.
In the context of scams and deceit, criminals often fabricate scenarios that trigger an immediate emotional response to help, such as pretending to be in urgent need of money for transportation or medical assistance. These situations are designed to bypass rational judgement, appealing directly to the Good Samaritan impulse within us. It is crucial, therefore, to approach such requests with a blend of compassion and critical thinking.
A good example of exploiting the Good Samaritan bias involves scammers who feign roadside emergencies to prey on unsuspecting drivers. In this scenario, a driver might notice someone flagging down vehicles, seemingly in distress—perhaps standing next to a car that appears to have broken down or indicating that they urgently need assistance to get to a nearby hospital.
Moved by a desire to help, the Good Samaritan stops, ready to offer assistance. This act of kindness, however, is exactly what the scammer is counting on. As soon as the helpful driver exits their vehicle to approach and assist the stranded individual, accomplices of the scammer might emerge, jumping into the Good Samaritan's car and driving away with it, or the scammer may directly ask the driver to step out under a pretext and then seize the opportunity to steal the vehicle.
This deceitful tactic preys on the victim's instinctive response to help others in need, leveraging the Good Samaritan bias for criminal gain. It starkly illustrates the importance of maintaining a balance between the willingness to assist and the necessity of safeguarding oneself against potential threats. While the impulse to aid a fellow human in distress is commendable, it is crucial to remain vigilant and consider safer ways to offer help, such as calling emergency services on behalf of the individual in distress, rather than putting oneself in a vulnerable position. This approach ensures that one can still extend help without compromising personal safety.
The UK Foreign Office produced this video some time ago to raise awareness.
Pretexting/Impersonation
This is when a person is basically manipulated into doing something he would not normally do by a scammer presenting a fake scenario. For example, it could be that the criminal impersonates a bank employee, a co-worker, or an official such as a social worker or tax officer. Their aim is to use the authority of the invented persona to force a person into a particular situation or action. It is, in effect, a very convincing and elaborate lie.
A vivid example of pretexting/impersonation occurs in the form of a phone scam, where the scammer calls the victim, impersonating a representative from a utility company. The caller claims that the victim's electricity or water bill is overdue and threatens that their service will be disconnected immediately unless a payment is made over the phone. To lend credibility to their claim, the scammer may provide specific details that seem legitimate, such as the victim's address or the amount supposedly due, which they could have gathered from public records or social engineering techniques.
Feeling pressured by the urgency of the situation and the fear of losing essential services, the victim may comply with the scammer's instructions, providing payment information over the phone. The scammer, using the authority of the impersonated utility company representative, manipulates the victim into making a payment to a fraudulent account.
This scenario showcases how scammers exploit the trust people typically place in authority figures and official institutions. By presenting themselves as someone with legitimate authority, scammers can coerce individuals into taking actions they would not normally consider, such as making an unplanned payment or divulging sensitive financial information. Awareness and verification are key defences against such tactics. For instance, if faced with such a call, it is prudent to hang up and contact the utility company directly using a verified number to check the authenticity of the claim, thus avoiding the trap set by the scammer.
Eight criminals who pretended to be police officers, conning elderly and vulnerable victims out of thousands of pounds, have been jailed for more than 30 years.
Distraction robberies
The distraction cognitive bias refers to our tendency to have our attention easily diverted by irrelevant stimuli or information, leading to a decreased ability to focus on the task or decision at hand. This bias can significantly affect our judgement and decision-making processes, often without us even realising it.
While most people believe they are good at multitasking, the reality is that the human brain has a finite amount of attention it can allocate at any given moment. In an environment filled with stimuli, our brains prioritise what to focus on, sometimes at the expense of important information, leading to oversight or errors in judgement.
In today's digital age, we are bombarded with an unprecedented amount of information. Our brains cope by filtering out what it perceives as unnecessary, but this filtering process is not perfect. We might focus on something flashy or immediate, overlooking critical, albeit less attention-grabbing, details.
Distractions often play to our emotional responses. Something that provokes fear, excitement, or curiosity can easily pull our attention away from rational, deliberate thought processes. Marketers, for example, exploit this bias by creating emotionally charged advertisements that distract consumers from considering the practicality or necessity of a product.
As humans, we are naturally drawn to new and novel experiences. This curiosity makes us susceptible to distractions, as we are more likely to shift our focus to something new and unknown rather than stick with the familiar, even if the familiar task is more important.
When we are stressed or tired, our ability to filter out distractions decreases. Our minds wander more easily, and we are more susceptible to having our attention diverted by irrelevant details or tasks.
A common example of a distraction robbery occurs in crowded public places, such as busy city streets, subway stations, or tourist attractions. In these scenarios, a scammer might drop something in front of you, like a handful of coins or a wallet, and then ask for your help in picking them up. As you bend down to assist, an accomplice takes advantage of your diverted attention to steal items from your bag or pockets.
Alternatively, you might be approached by someone asking for directions or pretending to sell something, engaging you in conversation. While you are focused on this interaction, another individual discreetly relieves you of your valuables. The initial engagement is designed to distract you, making it easier for the theft to occur unnoticed.
Have you spotted all the robberies in the video?
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim:
Stay Alert in Crowded Places: Be particularly vigilant in busy areas where close contact with others is unavoidable. Scammers often use the chaos to their advantage.
Maintain Personal Space: If approached by a stranger, keep a comfortable distance. This not only helps in protecting your belongings but also gives you time to assess the situation.
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Help or Questions: While it is natural to want to help others, be cautious if someone’s request takes your attention away from your belongings. Politely decline or suggest they seek help from a professional or authority figure nearby.
Secure Your Belongings: Use bags that can be securely closed and keep them in front of you, especially in crowded places. Consider using anti-theft bags or pouches that are harder for pickpockets to access.
By staying aware of your surroundings and adopting these precautionary measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to robberies.