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Who Can You Trust? Assessing Vulnerability to Digital Imposter Scams

Author

Listed:
  • C. A. Robb

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • S. Wendel

    (Behavioral Technology, LLC)

Abstract

Social Security scams have become one of the most common forms of government imposter fraud. These scams cost innocent people in the USA millions of dollars each year and undercut the ability of the Social Security Administration to contact and interact with citizens about their benefits. This raises questions as to how individuals might improve their ability to discriminate between scams and real appeals from the Social Security Administration. The present study applies the techniques of inoculation theory to a nationally representative sample of over 4,000 US adults in a series of experiments. Participants are randomly assigned to one of four training programs: from general tips about scams to a targeted experiential learning program. There is strong evidence that the inoculation process successfully and significantly increases fraud detection without decreasing trust in real communications. It provides protection against both SSA and non-SSA scams, such as Amazon imposter scams. The impact, however, is specific to the mode of communication (email versus letter or SMS) and decays over time; training programs should be targeted accordingly.

Suggested Citation

  • C. A. Robb & S. Wendel, 2023. "Who Can You Trust? Assessing Vulnerability to Digital Imposter Scams," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 27-51, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jcopol:v:46:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10603-022-09531-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10603-022-09531-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Burnes, D. & Henderson, C.R., Jr. & Sheppard, C. & Zhao, R. & Pillemer, K. & Lachs, M.S., 2017. "Prevalence of financial fraud and scams among older adults in the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(8), pages 13-21.
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    3. Rajeev K. Goel, 2021. "Masquerading the Government: Drivers of Government Impersonation Fraud," Public Finance Review, , vol. 49(4), pages 548-572, July.
    4. Burnes, D. & Henderson, C.R. & Sheppard, C. & Zhao, R. & Pillemer, K. & Lachs, M.S., 2017. "Prevalence of Financial Fraud and Scams Among Older Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(8), pages 1295-1295.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Scam identification; Behavioral science; Digital fraud; Inoculation theory; Randomized control trial;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • P46 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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