You need to know how to spot a scam because scam artists have become part of our daily lives. We’ve all heard about the scam artists who rob people of their money. They use tactics that have been around for years.
You may feel confident that your wallet is protected but there’s another type of scam artist you may encounter. This one sees your time stolen, which is a major productivity killer. It’s like when you’re asked to do a quick favor that evolves into a major commitment.
In either case, you are the victim. Later, you’ll kick yourself for not seeing the scam. Don’t beat yourself up too much, as scams have a way of appealing to your desires. This makes you vulnerable. Let’s Clear the Path of some the sneaky techniques these scam artists use to take advantage of you:
Speed
A scam usually requires you to act very quickly. It may be part of an offer that lasts only a short period of time.
Potential scarcity makes you feel like you have to act immediately. Resist this urge. You may miss out a special one-time offer but I’m sure there will be other worthy offers in the future. While you may end up paying a little more, it’s probably less than a cost of an unwise offer.
The scammer wants to you to believe it’s a now or never situation. Make sure you’re running the show on your schedule.
Secret Knowledge
Agreeing to an offer will give you access to some special information that no one in the world knows about. While we like the idea of getting an edge, there’s very little secret knowledge in today’s world.
If you haven’t heard anything about it, the information hasn’t been on the news or online, then it may not be as attractive as advertised. In an online society, big news tends to explode and not stay hidden.
Ponzi schemes, like those orchestrated by Bernie Madoff, use the tactic of giving you access to secret knowledge if you join him ASAP.
The Echo of Agreement
A scam will see an accomplice agree with the person who’s pitching you on the offer. This affirmation makes you perceive the offer as having even more value.
You need to evaluate the offer based on your needs, despite what everyone else is saying. How many times, have you bought something that you later never used, simply because other people said they liked it or said that they wanted it?
Sometimes the echo of agreement comes from someone who you don’t know but could know. This is how urban legends are spread. I’m sure you’ve read the claims of “a friend of my sister-in-law.” The short degree of separation makes us believe that the claims must be true.
In this scenario, if you don’t know the first name of the authority in question, there’s a good chance that person is not real.
Final Thoughts
All of these tactics weaken our resistance to an offer. They can make us make quick decisions we regret later.
When you’re presented with something that seems to be an irresistible offer, wait, do some research, and sleep on it. That time and perspective will serve you well, protect your wallet, and your time. Protect yourself from scams!
I can tell you that my new book, Stuck on Yellow is not a scam. It is full of 26 tips that make you more productive. No lists, no color charts, just game changing tips that will help you get more done. Click below to find out more:
