Nearly 20% of UK Population Vulnerable to Phishing Scams

As per a research conducted by the University of Exeter on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), one out of five (20%) UK populace is susceptible to becoming the victim of a phishing fraud and scam.

The study reveals that people who become victims of hackers are probably more open to persuasion by others and are less capable to control their emotions. Several people who have been attacked in the past indicate user's interest in replying to phishing scams.

It is also noted that a sound background knowledge about the subject of the scam offer, like earlier investment experience, really increased people's danger of becoming a victim as it made them over confident.

As per the report, the victims of scam usually spend a lot of time analyzing the content of the scam than non-victims, implying that they got carried away by it. People who do not fall prey to the scams normally delete the mail or throw away the letters.

The OFT also states that credulity is the main reason for falling prey to the scams. It was discovered in the research that victims identified that something was erroneous, but moved ahead with thinking that they would succeed, because of the prize they would get related to the earlier outlay.

The researchers also add that several people are susceptible to a persuasive approach as scams are regularly publicized in a same manner as authentic offers publicize.

The victims of the scam concealed their indulgence from family as well as friends, apparently to ignore being told that what they were doing idiotic.

Moreover, the scams highlighted by OFT range from the so-called Nigerian or advance free frauds, to fake lotteries, false clairvoyants and health cures, fake investments and racing tipsters. Normally, they disguise as authentic businesses and tempt their victims with offers of big rewards.

OFT Director of Consumer Protection, Mike Haley, says that scams usually have a shocking monetary and emotional impact on people. This research will help to create more efficient methods to defy the hackers, as reported by Press Associated on May 18, 2009.

Related article: Nearly 70% of Top 100 Sites Contain Malicious Content

» SPAMfighter News - 5/25/2009