Who is vulnerable to fraud and Scams - OFT - Exteter University Research

The OFT commissioned research into why certain groups are more likely to fall victim to fraud.

The research findings will help to inform the joint OFT and Serious Organised Crime Agency's National Strategy for tackling mass marketed fraud, in particular in developing more effective consumer awareness campaigns to help consumers recognise and resist scams.

The research also found that many scams use a range of highly persuasive techniques. A common tactic is to seek to exploit basic human emotions such as excitement or fear to provoke a spontaneous 'gut reaction' to the scam offer. Such scams also abuse people's trust of authority by making a scam look like a legitimate offer from a reputable business or official institution

Although some of the funding's may seem blindingly obvious it does highlight that victims are often NOT those most most obviously vulnerable. The techniques used by fraudsters are effective against well educated inflamed and experienced victims.

You can read more about Mass market fraud and the OFT 's campaign as well as watch some of their videos on the topic.