We know what you're thinking: It will never happen to you.
Surprise, surprise, that's what 95% of the public will be thinking but from having an app to replicate texts from a bank to hacking your social media accounts in order to infiltrate your business, Alexis Conran showed me just how vulnerable we all really are.
The main reasons people fall for scams?
1. Misdirection. As marketers, we may be familiar with the phrase, 'sell the benefits not the features'. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Time pressure. Critical thinking goes out of the window under just a little bit of pressure as you’re forcing individuals to make a decision on instinct rather than facts. If you feel like you're being pressurised into making a decision, grab a cuppa and take 5 minutes before you act.
3. Opportunity. Otherwise known as, “Good deal syndrome”. People are attracted to the idea of beating the system, so when you're told 'for you, we will...', it can be hard to resist.
4. Social compliance. Did you know that's it's part of our basic instinct to comply with certain signs and symbols? For example, a man with a high-vis jacket has authority, a man in a suit is trustworthy. Hustlers are the hackers of human nature and they're applying this to a digital level, using Photoshop to make websites and emails look the real deal. So, before you subscribe/ book online/ reply, inspect what you are being asked for, think 'who’s on the other end?' and don't believe anything until you have hard evidence.
5. Social proof. Because so many people have done the same thing you give it credence. For example, if other cars are driving down the road slightly faster than the speed limit, you are likely to follow suit. Why? Because we like to mimic what’s going on around us.
Remember, question everything. Just because others are doing it, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be challenged.If you’ve got people using it, eventually they’ll find a bomb.
It’s the law of averages. All you have to do is find one and you’ve convinced yourself.
We need to turn facts into equally as good stories. Provide your consumers with the right narrative and they’ll create the magic in their own minds.
So how can you avoid falling for a scam?
Assume nothing, believe nothing, challenge everything, delete if in doubt.