Why people still fall for scam texts: A psychological analysis of vulnerability
Lifestyle2025-08-18
6 Mins Read
Do you think only the elderly or those unfamiliar with technology fall for by scam texts? Think again. In recent years, scams impersonating financial services corporations have surged, with victims including young adults and professionals alike. Despite increased government efforts to raise awareness about fraud prevention, many people still fall into these traps.
From a psychological perspective, we can better understand who is most likely to become a target of these scams and how they can protect themselves.
Scam texts: tactics and impact
The patterns of these scams are often predictable. Fraudsters typically pose as staff from financial services companies, sending texts that claim the recipient’s account has been flagged for suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions. They then lure victims into calling a fake customer service hotline. Once the call is made, the scammer adopts an urgent tone, insisting that the account issue must be resolved immediately. They proceed to extract sensitive information, such as bank account details, ID numbers, and credit card data, or direct victims to click on links leading to counterfeit websites to input passwords.
In more sophisticated cases, fraudsters may even impersonate insurance agents or investigators, claiming they need to ‘secure the victim’s account’ and demanding immediate cooperation with verification procedures. These tactics are alarmingly effective, as panic often overrides caution.
The primary goal of these scams is financial theft—such as draining bank accounts—or harvesting personal data for future fraud. Victims not only suffer monetary losses but also face long-term risks like credit card fraud, identity theft, and other forms of exploitation.
Psychological analysis: Who is most likely to fall for scams?
Even highly educated individuals or those with technical expertise aren’t immune to scams. Fraudsters exploit fundamental human weaknesses—our emotions and cognitive biases—to bypass psychological defences in an instant.
1. The overconfident: victims of the ‘I’d never fall for that’ mindset
Many people think, ‘How could I believe this?’ But this overconfidence is precisely their blind spot. In psychology, this is known as overconfidence bias—an inflated belief in one’s own judgment and ability to detect scams, leading to a lack of caution. These individuals assume they can instantly spot fraud, making them less vigilant.
2. The opportunistic: lured by short-term gains
Some fall for scams because they’re driven by the desire for quick fixes or instant rewards. This ties into the commitment and consistency principle—once they start believing an offer is beneficial, they’re more likely to invest further time and trust to stay consistent with their initial belief. When a scam promises compensation, or unfrozen assets, , emotions take over, triggering irrational decisions.
3. The indecisive: decision fatigue leads to poor judgement
Modern life bombards us with endless choices, leading to decision fatigue. People under prolonged stress or mental exhaustion tend to opt for seemingly simple solutions to ‘get it over with.’ Scam messages often present themselves as quick fixes, making them highly appealing to those already mentally drained.
4. The socially isolated: trusting strangers over a support network
Psychology shows that social isolation increases the craving for connection and trust. When someone lacks close friends or confidants, they rely solely on their own judgment in emergencies. If a scammer projects a trustworthy, professional persona, they can easily gain the victim’s trust. The need for reassurance makes isolated individuals prime targets.
The blend of scam tactics and psychological manipulation
Scammers don’t just rely on smooth talk—they leverage a deep understanding of human psychology. Their communication techniques and tone are carefully crafted to exploit key psychological vulnerabilities, manipulating victims through the following tactics:
1. Creating pressure to impair judgment
Messages like ‘Your account will be frozen’ or ‘Suspicious transaction detected’ force victims into immediate action. This triggers a stress-induced decision-making mode, where the brain defaults to instinctive reactions rather than logical thinking—severely weakening a person’s ability to verify facts.
2. Personalised details to boost credibility
Some fraudsters accurately recite the victim’s name, phone number, or even partial ID numbers, creating the illusion that they represent a legitimate institution. This ‘illusion of authenticity’ fosters a false sense of authority, making victims more compliant.
3. Exploiting brand trust and familiarity
Mentioning well-known entities like insurance firms or banks taps into the ‘authority heuristic’—a mental shortcut where people instinctively trust familiar brands. When scam messages mimic official communications, victims assume 'This must be safe', bypassing their usual scepticism.
Stay informed: Essential anti-scam advice to avoid falling into traps
As scam techniques grow increasingly sophisticated, it's crucial to keep these protective measures in mind:
1. Check for the '#' symbol in phone numbers
Currently, calls and messages from insurance companies in Hong Kong will include a '#' prefix in the sender’s name or phone number as an official identifier. Always verify whether the sender follows this standard before trusting the message.
For example, AXA will send messages with registered sender names such as ‘#AXA’ or ‘#AXA HK’ to customers using local mobile services. If you receive a message from a known registered sender in the ‘SMS Sender Registration System’ but the number does not start with ‘#’, it could be a scam. Remember, do not trust messages or emails from unknown senders. You can also download the Emma by AXA mobile app and enable ‘Push Notifications’ to receive accurate official information.
2. Stay vigilant – Don’t click suspicious links
Even if the sender knows your full name or partial details, do not automatically trust them. Treat any unexpected calls or messages—especially those involving money or account issues—with scepticism. Scammers often use phishing links to steal login credentials. Avoid clicking on embedded links, even if they appear to lead to a ‘legitimate’ website.
3. Use anti-scam tools
The Hong Kong Police have launched tools like 'Scameter' (防騙視伏器) and the 'Scameter App' (防騙視伏App) to help the public identify scams and online traps.
4. Stay calm and seek help
If you encounter an urgent-sounding request, pause before acting. Take time to assess the situation calmly. Reach out to a trusted friend or family member for a second opinion—adding an extra layer of scrutiny can prevent costly mistakes.
The true shield against scams: knowledge and vigilance
In an era of increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics, even those with higher education or sound judgment can fall victim when emotions cloud their reasoning.
Understanding the psychological behind scams is key to reducing risks at their root. May we all strive to maintain clarity and composure in moments of crisis—free from panic and impulse—to safeguard both our own and our loved ones' financial security.
Source:
Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/home.html)
Insurance Authority (https://www.adcc.gov.hk/en-hk/home.html)
Hong Kong Police Force (https://www.police.gov.hk/offbeat120/scam/11_hk-insurance-sms-scam-guide.html)
No warranty or responsibility is assumed by AXA Hong Kong and our related or holding companies regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, reasonableness, fitness for a purpose or free from computer viruses in connection with the information and materials provided. AXA Hong Kong and our related companies and holding companies do not accept any liability for any loss, damage, cost or other expense, whether wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, arising from any error, inaccuracy or omission of the information and materials to the extent that such liability is not excluded by law.
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