The overconfident are easy prey for scammers: study

One in every two Pakistanis has been a victim of a scam at least once while 21 per cent of the victims have been tricked multiple times. According to the 2023 Stay Secure Study released on Monday by global digital payments company Visa, nine of every 10 Pakistanis are likely to disregard the warning signs that suggest online criminal activity. Over-confidence is leaving consumers in Pakistan open to becoming victims of fraud even though more than half of respondents claim to be savvy enough to sidestep online and phone scams, it said. Speaking to Dawn, Visa Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan Umar Khan said that fraudsters have become more “evolved” as the payment methods and the acceptance of digital payments have gone up in recent years. “You get emails where the fraudster tries to claim urgency. They try to create some sort of an illusion of gratification that you’ve won the reward and you need to do step A, B or C (to get it),” he said, adding that consumer education is a crucial aspect to prevent online frauds.