Psychologist urges critical thinking to resist scams

People can reduce their risk of falling for scams by developing critical thinking, mental health expert Erik Rüütel said on the Estonian TV programme “Hommik Anuga,” ERR reported. Even well-prepared people have vulnerabilities that malicious actors may exploit, he said.

SEB security chief Kätlin Kukk said shutting down some call centres used for scam calls would not stop criminals, who have backup plans. Criminal activity changes with the times, she said, adding that it no longer looks as it did 15 or more years ago.

Rüütel said scams have always been part of human society and that people need to keep up with the changing world. He said phone scams often rely on a caller posing as an authority, such as a police officer, doctor, school or ministry representative, and creating a sense of urgency. Victims may be told there is a problem that must be fixed quickly, making them more likely to follow the caller’s instructions.

In such situations, people can become anxious and accept the scammer’s version of events, Rüütel said. He advised them to pause and ask whether the supposed crisis is real. Kukk added that people should notice changes in their own behaviour, including rising anxiety, and consider whether they are being swept along by strong emotions.

Scammers may use artificial intelligence models that draw on information from social media to create scripts tailored to individuals, Rüütel said. These can target vulnerabilities around investments, gambling or relationships. Kukk urged people to be cautious even when messages appear to come from someone close to them, saying they can be sure of the sender’s identity only when that person is physically present.

Rüütel urged people not to bury their heads in the sand, but to stay curious and keep up with a rapidly changing world.