In this episode, Adam and Louise sit down with Paul Maskall, a leading expert in fraud prevention, to discuss the emotional response to fraud. They explore why people often think fraud won't happen to them, despite it being one of the most common crimes in the UK. The conversation delves into human behaviour, how criminals exploit our emotional states, and ways we can better protect ourselves in the digital world.

Paul offers deep insights into the psychology behind fraud, social engineering, and the limitations of human intuition when facing online manipulation. The discussion also touches on how organisations like UK Finance and City of London Police are working to protect consumers and businesses from fraud and scams.

Key Takeaways:

1. Fraud is common, yet under reported: You are more likely to be a victim of fraud than any other crime type in the UK.
2. Human vulnerability: Fraudsters target emotional and psychological vulnerabilities, often exploiting moments of distraction or emotional distress.
3. Intuition is not always enough: People often trust their gut feeling, but Paul highlights that our emotional instincts are not always accurate when assessing fraud risks.
4. The role of technology: Both criminals and anti-fraud agencies are using technology, but it is essential to be mindful of our emotional states when interacting with potentially fraudulent messages.

Notable Quotes:

1. Paul Maskall: "Your vulnerability to fraud doesn’t depend on intelligence or tech skills – it depends on being human and breathing."
2. LouBax: "We’re humans; we’re trusting by nature, and criminals know that."
3. Paul Maskall: "It's like pushing a wet noodle up a hill, trying to convince people of risks they can't see."

Resources & Links:

• Consumer Friend Website – for all consumer rights information
• UK Finance – For insights on fraud prevention and financial security.
• Action Fraud – Report any fraud incidents here.
• Stop Fraud UK – Resources for staying safe from fraud.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Introduction to the episode and guest
• [05:30] – Paul Maskell’s role at UK Finance and City of London Police
• [15:00] – The psychology of fraud and manipulation
• [25:45] – Trusting your gut vs. emotional manipulation
• [35:00] – Final advice on preventing fraud

Release Date: 16/09/24

Host(s):

• Adam Carter
• Louise Baxter (LouBax)

Guest:

• Paul Maskall – strategic fraud prevention and behavioural lead for UK Finance and the City of London Police

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