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Can you spot a scam? Measuring and improving scam identification ability

Author

Listed:
  • Kubilay, Elif
  • Raiber, Eva
  • Spantig, Lisa
  • Cahlíková, Jana
  • Kaaria, Lucy

Abstract

The recent expansion of digital financial products leads to severe consumer protection issues such as fraud and scams. As these potentially decrease trust in digital services, especially in developing countries, avoiding victimization has become an important policy objective. In an online experiment, we first investigate how well individuals in Kenya identify phone scams using a novel measure of scam identification ability. We then test the effectiveness of scam education, a commonly used approach by banks and institutions for fraud and scam prevention. We find that common tips on how to spot scams do not significantly improve individuals' scam identification ability, i.e., the distinction of scams from genuine messages. This null effect is driven by an increase in correctly identified scams and a decrease in correctly identified genuine messages. We interpret this as an increase in caution. In addition, we find suggestive evidence that genuine messages which contain scam-like features are more likely to be misclassified, highlighting the importance of a careful design of official communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Kubilay, Elif & Raiber, Eva & Spantig, Lisa & Cahlíková, Jana & Kaaria, Lucy, 2023. "Can you spot a scam? Measuring and improving scam identification ability," CEPR Discussion Papers 17836, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:17836
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Riley, Emma & Shonchoy, Abu S. & Osei, Robert Darko, 2025. "Incentives and endorsement for technology adoption: Evidence from mobile banking in Ghana," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    3. Elif Kubilay & Eva Raiber & Lisa Spantig & Jana Cahlíková & Lucy Kaaria, 2023. "Financial fraud in developing countries: Common scam detection tips do not help distinguish scam from non-scam messages," ECONtribute Policy Brief Series 056, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    4. Michael King & Daniel Putman & Shane Byrne & Chaning Jang, 2024. "Navigating the Rise in Non-Institutional Digital Fraud: An Experiment with Micro Enterprises in Nigeria," Trinity Economics Papers tep1124, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2025.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D18 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Protection
    • G53 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Financial Literacy
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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