Remain calm when scammers call

IN recent weeks, we have noticed an increase in the number of scam reports involving victims from knowledge-based occupations such as teaching and law.

One might wonder why these victims who are deemed to have sufficient knowledge of and exposure to the scammers’ various tactics can still fall for them.

Furthermore, there have been so many reports of such cases in the media in the past few years, and the police have issued numerous warnings to the public about the scammers’ modus operandi that one would have thought the days of the scammers are over already.

That isn’t the case, unfortunately, so why are people, especially those who should know better, still falling prey to scams?

This is because the scammers create negative emotional disturbance, usually fear and panic, in their victims. Once overwhelmed by the emotions, the victims will find it difficult to think logically or rationally despite their knowledge of scamming tactics.

It is therefore important to remain calm when we receive a call from someone who is not on our contact list regardless of the “bad” news that he/she is telling us. The voice at the other end can be quite persuasive and so believable that it is hard to cut off the call.

Taking two to three deep breaths will help in this situation. Next, hang up and call the relevant organisation or authority immediately to check the allegations made by the scammer. For instance, if the scammer claimed that he/she was calling from the Inland Revenue Board, hang up and call this department.

These are simple steps to take to avoid being scammed, but we tend to forget them when we are in a state of panic. Hence, always remain calm to avoid the financial and emotional heartache that will come from being scammed.

KUEK THIAM YONG

DR CHEN I-CHI

DR CHOONG YUEN ONN

and DR KHOR SAW CHIN

Faculty of Business and Finance,

UTAR