Resources › Persuasion Tactics

The tactics scammers use against you

Almost every scam runs on the same handful of persuasion tactics. Learn to name them, and you will start spotting them before they work.

Authority

We are taught to trust banks, government agencies, and the people we report to. Scammers borrow that trust by pretending to be them.

Urgency

When something feels urgent, we skip the careful thinking and just react. Scammers create that feeling on purpose.

Fear

A frightened brain stops weighing options and starts looking for the fastest way out. Scammers put you there on purpose.

Scarcity

When something is running out, we want it more and think about it less. Scammers manufacture that shortage.

Social Proof

When we are unsure, we copy what everyone else seems to be doing. Scammers fake the crowd.

Reciprocity

When someone gives us something, we feel a pull to give back. Scammers give first so they can take more.

Commitment

Once we say yes to something small, we feel pressure to keep saying yes. Scammers start small on purpose.

Liking

We let our guard down for people we like. Scammers work to become one of them.

Knowing the tactics is step one. Practice is step two.

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