Not Getting Deceived

P1　—　Why even smart people get deceived

Scams don't catch people with cleverness, but with patterns. We will divide the methods published by police and consumer agencies worldwide into four patterns, and you will learn three moves to use when you receive a solicitation.

Supervised by: Mitsuru Hayama　／　Reading time (main text): About 8 min (3,833 characters of text at 500 chars/min; exercises and readings not included)　／　Beyond the text: 6 exercises · 3 readings

What this course teaches you to do

• Be able to apply the four signs of a scam (impersonating an organization, a problem or a prize, time pressure, a specific payment method) even to tactics seen for the first time.
• Be able to state the types of scams published by the police and consumer agencies, and place them in the context of situations encountered in one's own life.
• When solicited, be able to use the three steps—disconnect, verify, and discuss—on the spot.
• Can choose where to seek advice (such as 188 and #9110 in Japan, or the FTC in the US) both before and after an incident.

Lessons (8)

1. Cleverness Is No Defence — Four Warning SignsThe methods change. The four signs do not. If two overlap, it fits the pattern.
2. Impersonating an organization — Posing as the police, a bank, or a government officeThe name they use and the number they display can be faked. Do not call back the number they provide. Call a number you have looked up yourself.
3. A problem or a prize — "I'm in trouble" and "I've won"A fabricated story is either "I'm in trouble" or "I've won." The exit for both is "making you pay first."
4. Time Pressure — By Today・Only Now・Don't Hang Up'Right now' is a warning sign. Stop・Hang up・Verify・Talk. You lose nothing by verifying after you hang up.
5. Specific payment methods — Crypto-assets, money transfer services, gift cards, ATMIf a payment method is specified, you don't need to examine the details. Irreversible, untraceable, and anonymous payment methods are a sign in themselves.
6. Patterns in borrowing — unregistered lenders and 'same-day loans'.First, verify the lender's registration. If it cannot be confirmed, do not borrow. The words 'Bank' and 'Trust' in a name are not a basis for trust.
7. The Counterfeiter and the Investigator — The Molds are the Same as 300 Years AgoThe trust in a guarantee is the same sentiment that makes currency convenient. Since it cannot be eliminated, we must protect it with procedure.
8. Three Steps and Where to Get Help — Disconnect, Verify, TalkDisconnect, Verify, Talk. In Japan, use 188 and #9110. Even after being victimized, you can check civil rules like cooling-off periods at a help desk.

Readings (3)

• A history of false money　Overview: 2,700 years of the world　two thousand seven hundred years　The Birth of the Counterfeit
  Because the weakness of currency—that people who trust the guarantee do not check its contents—is the very pattern of fraud itself.
• A history of false money　Overview: 2,700 years of the world　antiquity　The Touchstone
  The history of the touchstone, a "tool for verification." Even fabricated stories need a touchstone.
• A history of false money　Overview: 2,700 years of the world　AD 1699　Newton versus Chaloner
  A counterfeiter who sided with proposing reforms. The form of the "pretense" pattern from 300 years ago.

Assessment

6 exercises in this course (4 check, 0 compare, 2 written). Progress is recorded by self-assessment.