Week 3 Day 6
When Life Knocks You Down, Scammers Move In: How to Protect Yourself in Times of Crisis
Slide 1: Cover
"Grief. Divorce. Job loss.
In your lowest moments, scammers strike hardest.
Here’s how to stay safe when life feels unsafe."
Slide 2: Real Story - The Widow Who Lost Everything
Three weeks after Maria's husband died, the emails started.
First, a message from "her bank" warning of unusual activity. Then a "charity" offering counseling services. Then a lawyer promising access to a forgotten inheritance.
Maria, overwhelmed by funeral arrangements and financial confusion, responded.
She lost $48,000 in two months — money she couldn’t afford to lose.
"I didn't even think twice," she said later. "I just wanted help."
Scammers target pain.
They know you are most vulnerable when you feel lost.
Slide 3: Why Scammers Love a Crisis
Crises create three things scammers love:
✅ Distraction – You're too busy handling emergencies to spot small details.
✅ Desperation – You’re eager for quick solutions to big problems.
✅ Disbelief – Your brain struggles to process betrayal when you already feel broken.
A person in crisis is 7x more likely to fall for a scam, according to cybersecurity research.
Scammers don’t have morals. They just have methods.
Slide 4: The Top 5 Crisis Scams You Must Know
1. Fake Charities
After disasters, scammers launch fake donation drives. They pull on your heartstrings — and your wallet.
2. Emergency Financial Help
"Fast loans" or "debt rescue" offers with hidden fees, sky-high interest, or outright theft.
3. Inheritance and Insurance Scams
They pretend you’re owed money — if you just "verify your identity" or "pay a processing fee."
4. Romance Scams
Loneliness makes people crave connection. Scammers build fake relationships, then invent emergencies needing money.
5. Phony Lawyers or Government Officials
They’ll tell you there’s urgent legal action unless you pay immediately — exploiting your fear of more trouble.
Slide 5: The Psychological Warfare at Play
Scammers don't just steal money.
They steal clarity.
In a crisis, your brain is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol.
This short-circuits critical thinking, making:
- Fake threats feel real.
- Fake solutions feel necessary.
- Fake urgency feel justified.
They manipulate emotions before you even realize it.
That's why smart people — even lawyers, doctors, CEOs — fall for scams after trauma.
Slide 6: "But It Looked So Real!" – How They Fake Legitimacy
- Spoofed Emails: Real logos, email addresses that look almost identical to real ones.
- Clone Websites: Copy-paste versions of trusted brands or institutions, down to the last pixel.
- Urgent Deadlines: "Act within 24 hours!" to prevent you from asking questions.
- Emotional Language: "Help now," "Save lives," "Protect your family" — to bypass logic.
- Caller ID Tricks: Scammers can make their phone number look like it’s coming from your local police, hospital, or bank.
Their goal:
Make you react, not think.
Slide 7: Red Flags to Watch When You’re Vulnerable
🚩 They push urgency ("right now") without giving time to think.
🚩 They ask for payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
🚩 They demand personal information over the phone or email.
🚩 They refuse to provide verifiable proof of who they are.
🚩 They get angry or guilt-trip you when you hesitate.
If you spot one red flag, assume there are more hiding.
Slide 8: The "Pause, Protect, Proceed" Crisis Response Plan
When life feels overwhelming, you need a system.
Here’s the 3P method:
1. Pause
Step away. Take a breath. Scammers thrive on speed.
2. Protect
Check the source independently. Google their name + "scam". Call the organization directly using your verified contact list — not the number they give you.
3. Proceed (or Not)
Only after you verify everything. If something still feels off, trust your gut and walk away.
There is no real emergency that can't wait five minutes for you to think.
Slide 9: If You’ve Already Been Scammed…
First:
Breathe.
Shame loves secrecy — but you didn’t cause this. Scammers caused this.
Then act:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
- Report the scam to your local consumer protection agency.
- Notify the platform used (email provider, social media site, etc.).
- File a report with your country’s cybercrime division.
- Talk to someone you trust. You need emotional support, too.
Early action can sometimes recover lost money.
Slide 10: How to Build "Crisis-Ready" Habits
You can’t predict life’s storms. But you can prepare.
Here’s how:
✅ Pre-make your "trusted contacts" list — people you will call if something feels suspicious.
✅ Set strict personal rules — like "I never send money without a second opinion."
✅ Bookmark official websites — for banks, charities, insurance, and government agencies.
✅ Practice slowing down — mindfulness, deep breathing, or even a sticky note by your desk:
"Pause first."
In a crisis, habits kick in faster than panic.
Slide 11: A Final Thought
Scammers don’t just steal from the desperate — they hunt them.
It’s disgusting.
It’s evil.
But it’s also predictable.
And that means it’s beatable.
Protect your future self today, because you deserve safety — even in your most vulnerable moments.
Stay cautious. Stay compassionate. Stay scam-proof.
