Techniques and Tactics

Encourage engagement

Encourage engagement: Scams are made to look enticing and may include rewards such as free gifts to engage the victim and make them feel complicit. Many scams ask people to comply in several, smaller steps. This makes them feel committed to continue sending money. A typical scam would, for example, ask someone to send a small amount of money and then follow up with repeated requests for larger sums, until the victim's savings are exhausted. A rogue trader may also utilise this technique, highlighting the need to undertake further repairs due to "newly" uncovered disrepair in the property. Research has shown that the longer a person is exposed to the scam and the longer they are engaged with the scam, the more likely it is that they will become victim to the scam (Baumeister et al 2008).

Secrecy

Secrecy: Criminals urge secrecy in order to stop the person from discussing the scam with friends or family. This technique is designed to prevent the victim from seeking a second opinion or support. Research carried out in May 2009 by the University of Exeter for the Office of Fair Trading found that victims did often choose to keep their involvement in a scam secret from friends and family.

Doorstep scam tactics

Doorstep scams tactics: Doorstep scams including rogue traders and distraction burglaries, differ from Mass Marketing scams in one important aspect: physical presence of the criminal at the victim's home.

This allows the criminals to:

• Have face to face contact with the victim, often for lengthy periods, which allows them to build a rapport and gain the trust of the victim, especially if there are several visits.
• Use intimidation to a greater extent.
• Use physical force and violence.
• Have the opportunity to escort the individual to the bank.
• Have physical access to people’s property and belongings.