Scammer Psychology: Why Fraud Tactics Work So Well

May 11, 2025

When you hear the word “cybersecurity,” you probably think of encrypted passwords, antivirus software and firewalls. Unfortunately, most of today’s scammers aren’t trying to hack your computer — they’re more interested in targeting you.

As technology security expert Bruce Schneider once said, “Only amateurs attack machines; professionals target people.” Modern scammers have found that manipulative tricks that exploit your emotions are the most effective way to take your money.

Scammers View Your Emotions as Your Weakness

New scammers are more likely to study psychology than computer code. That’s because they thrive when they elicit emotional reactions from their victims. Many of their messages are intended to scare or panic you so that you respond quickly before having an opportunity to scrutinize their request. With emotions running high, you are more likely to make a decision that you probably wouldn’t ordinarily.

This applies to many of the most prevalent scams. A banking scam may tell you there’s been suspicious activity on your credit card. Your initial fear that a stranger is spending your money may cause you to give out your sensitive banking numbers to resolve the issue.

Other scams may take advantage of your compassion. Grandparent scams ask seniors to send money to a grandchild in distress. Since many grandparents are willing to do anything for their grandchildren, this means that they are more likely to send money immediately and ask questions later.

Upgrade Your Security to Avoid Scams

While services like McAfee and Norton are great at identifying malware, they do not recognize many of today’s most prevalent scams. To fully protect yourself in the 2020s, your security requires more sophistication. You have to stay alert and aware, to keep a cool head and avoid an emotional reaction that could cost you.

Your reactions are key

Adults receive hundreds of messages each day, each of those messages is a potential scam. Knowing what types of scams exist and what to watch for is the most robust protection. When you get a message, stop. Then put on your suspicious hat. When you're confident about your path, then proceed.

If you need help, ask a trusted friend (or you can always use ScamFerret).

When you receive a message that elicits fear or stress, you have a tool to help you sort out what’s real. By flagging potentially manipulative messages, suspicious links, and bogus requests, ScamFerret offers a helpful second opinion before you make your decision.

Protect Yourself and Your Humanity

All of us are occasionally caught off guard by the barrage of scam texts, calls, and emails that target our emotions. Becoming an emotionless robot isn't realistic. But you can protect your assets and humanity. STOP, when you have an emotional reaction to an incoming message. Put a little bit of space between the totally natural, human emotion and the steps you take to resolve it. Not even the smartest, tech savviest among us have emotions that can cause us to do things without scrutiny. Stop. Scrutinize. Decide.

If you or a loved one could benefit from having an AI-assistant help you to sort through potentially fraudulent requests, subscribe to ScamFerret today.