We are all targets for scams
In today's interconnected world, scams are a constant and evolving threat. A single misstep can compromise personal financial security or leave valuable assets unprotected. It's no longer a matter of 'if' you'll encounter a scam, but 'when'.
Everyone, regardless of their age or ability is a potential target for scams and while a lot of anti-scam support has been made available for the general population, there is less that is specifically designed for autistic people.
It's not entirely fair to suggest that autistic people are more at risk given the incredible diversity of talent, capability and perception on the autism spectrum but the spectrum is wide and the general consensus of academic research suggests an intersection of autism characteristics with common scam tactics. Autistic people are generally considered a little more vulnerable.
The aim of this post is to empower all autistic people, regardless of their technical skills or how they process information, to detect and prevent scams and to protect their financial security.
The Psychology of Scams - Universal Red Flags
Scams can come from anywhere, even from trusted sources but there a few "red flags" that can make them very easy to spot.
Urgency & Pressure
Scammers know that people perform poorly under pressure or when they are forced to make decisions in a hurry. This tactic plays directly into fear and anxiety, frequently experienced by autistic people and it also affects them more due to their executive function challenges. For many autistic people, leaving things until the last minute and then having to do them in a hurry is a very familiar experience. This makes them more likely to accept that something needs to be done quickly and more likely to accept that someone else will guide them through it.
Tip: Real life is not like the movies. Things are not ticking time bombs and nothing explodes if you are a little late on a payment. If you feel rushed to the point where you are not adequately checking something, dig your heels in and choose to do it later. Even if you are told that your bank account is currently being "hacked", the banks won't act swiftly on a phone call (or even on a visit). They have processes to follow and while early notification is recommended, moving your money from one account to another is more likely to create a problem.
Secrecy
Scammers know that the more people who know what you are trying to do, the greater the chance that their scam will be detected. As a result, they will often push for secrecy. They may tell you to keep financial information secret, or if they are blackmailing you, they will use fear-based tactics such as threatening you with a release of compromising material if you involve your family or the police.
Keeping secrets only empowers scammers. Telling trusted individuals and support services will help you to deal with these problems.
Tip: It's fine to keep a secret about an upcoming "birthday gift" or a "secret password". It's not fine to keep secrets about things that are hurting you or others.
Impersonation
Scammers want you to trust them, so they will often impersonate a person of authority; such as the police or government, or they will impersonate a member of your family or a friend. With the rise of AI, even video and voice can be impersonated.
Tip: It's easy to call these bluffs. If you can meet or call the person directly, you should do so, to verify their identity. If you call the person back, make sure that you use a number that you either have in your contacts (if it's a friend) or that you have sourced from a legitimate place (if it's a company or agency).
If you can't verify identity easily, try asking them a question that you and they would know. For example; "where did we meet?", "what colour is my car?" or "what is the name of my dog?"
Appeals to Emotion
Scammers want you to become emotional because people who are being driven by their emotions are generally not thinking as clearly as they normally would. The emotions are not always negative. Sometimes they might tell you that a friend or family member is under threat or injured. Sometimes they might try to approach you as a potential lover.
Tip: If you haven't met someone and you don't know the situation, listen but be suspicious. After all, it's possible that you're listening to something true. Before exchanging any information or money however, make sure that you fully verify the source. Don't forget the tip about urgency.
Unusual Payment Methods
Modern payment methods, particularly like GooglePay, ApplePay and PayPal are reversible. For this reason, scammers will often attempt to get paid via non-reversible methods. They may accept only cash, or bitcoin or shopping cards.
Tip: This one is non-negotiable. As soon as someone dictates a specific non-reversible payment method, it's time to move to a different vendor. Just stay away from unusual payment methods and use only ones that you know and trust.
Unexpected Contact
Scammers generally come out of "nowhere" to contact you. They may start a instant message session, with a simple "Hello" or "Hi", they may "cold call" you from an unknown number or they may send an email from an unknown address.
Since scammers are usually in a hurry to get money, they won't wait too long before they ask you to do something, like click on a link or tell them something about yourself. The exception is "romance scams". These will often play a longer game because they need to get you emotionally invested first.
Tip: Always be suspicious of unexpected contact. Be cautious with your early responses to them until you can fully verify the caller's identity and motives.
All of these red flags; urgency, secrecy, impersonation, appeals to emotion, unusual payment methods and unexpected contact are highly suspicious. If you notice any of these red flags in a conversation, pause your interactions until you a certain that you are not dealing with a scammer.
Common types of Scams
Scams come from various sources. Here are just a few;
Digital Scams (Computer, Email, Websites, Social Media)
These may appear on your computer as a popup (if you allow websites to display notifications) or as a message via an application, such as Facebook. They can come through email systems and they can come through links and downloads to websites which look legitimate but aren't - and sometimes through websites that actually are legitimate but have been compromised. These days, computers are probably the number one source of scams.
While many autistic individuals have special interests in technical topics and will quickly spot troublesome links and emails, not everyone is at the same level. For some, the level of detail in computer systems is too overwhelming or too dense to read. Don't forget that autism often occurs alongside other conditions such as ADHD or dyslexia which can make reading detailed text difficult.
To protect yourself from computer scams;
- Where possible, try to get your computer set up by someone who knows technology and can turn off your local admin rights (this just means that you have to login with a different password to do certain more dangerous acts).
- Be very careful of any software that you install. If you're not good with computers, get someone who is knowledgeable to check over every install before you do it.
- If you receive unexpected and/or suspicious emails, do not click on the links. You can hover over the links to read them but again, get your links checked out by someone who knows computers. Good links start with https:// and the "domain" is the part after that but before the next slash. Check the domain carefully. For example; a domain like outlook.microsoft.here.ru might sound safe at first but the actual domain is the last two sets of dots. "here.ru" (ie: Here... in Russia).
- Watch out for fake login pages. Most login pages can be cloned. Make sure that they are coming from a legitimate source. If your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari) saves passwords, then it should automatically fill in the password for a genuine login screen. If it doesn't, the login is probably suspicious.
- Use two factor authentication to login. Never use the same password on more than one site and make sure that you're using your phone or email to validate your login.
- If anything pops up on your screen warning you about viruses or tech support, don't trust it. Call a trusted and technically savvy family member before clicking anything. Remember - Nothing is really urgent.
- If you get a friend request from someone who is already a friend, treat it with suspicion. If they ask for money, don't react. Switch to telephone and call them on a number that you already have.
Phone-Based Scams (Calls & SMS)
Our phones, particularly smartphones, are highly susceptible to scams. These can come via applications or malicious websites you visit on your phone, but also directly through "phone-first" technologies like SMS (called smishing attacks) or via phone calls (called vishing attacks). The threat from phones has been rising steadily over the past few years.
Autistic people have a lot of trouble interpreting non-verbal cues, such as tone, and phones can make this even more difficult. By having a voice-only or text-only channel, phones can reduce the identifying data available and make it very hard to determine if a call or SMS is a scam.
Here are few tips to make phone scams easier to spot;
- If a caller is new and has never called before, you should treat them with suspicion. This is especially true if they claim to be from a bank or government institution. Large corporations and government institutions generally do not initiate urgent, unsolicited phone calls about serious account problems, especially not demanding immediate action or personal information. They typically communicate through official channels (like postal mail or secure online portals) or expect you to call them on a number you know is genuine.
- If the caller tries to make something sound urgent, treat it as a scam. If they push for immediate payment of something or they request payment in an unusual manner, hang up immediately. It's a scam.
- Never grant remote access to anyone to your phone.
- If a SMS message comes through with a link, ignore it. Do not press on the link - even if the message looks like it is from a friend who claims to "have a photo of you". This is a very common scam technique.
In-Person and Relationship Scams
It's important not to underestimate "in-person" scams and those that develop through personal relationships. While some autistic people with special interests in computing or technology are very good with digital platforms, many autistic people find personal interactions and social cues more challenging. This means direct person-to-person scams, often involving "social engineering," can be particularly successful. These can range from a manipulative stranger to exploitation by someone in a position of trust, like a carer, or even a so-called "friend" or family member.
Autistic people generally have difficulty interpreting non-verbal social cues and can become easily confused about the status of a relationship or where to set the boundaries of trust. Autistic people often overshare in conversations and fail to detect when they are being manipulated.
Additionally, the social struggles of autistic people can make them much easier targets for relationship scams as they are often lonely or looking for companionship.
Tips for avoiding in-person scams;
- If there is strong pressure for secrecy, there's a good chance that the activity is "illegal". Never accept any excuses for secrecy when it comes to your finance or relationships. It's always a red flag.
- If someone asks you for cash or gift cards, or for bank account details, it's a good sign that it's a scam. Remember that emergencies are almost always not "emergencies". Talk to an independent and trusted third party before you do anything.
- Watch for controlling behaviour. Do not let new "lovers" scroll through your phone or have remote access to your phone or bank. It only takes seconds for an experience hacker to compromise your phone if it is already unlocked.
- If you start a new relationship and it becomes very intense very quickly, you should be a little suspicious. Scammers don't like to waste time getting into your affections and will use all kinds of flattery to get there.
- Be suspicious if someone attempts to pressure you into revealing intimate details of yourself or to send them "nudes" or to do anti-social things on camera (such as racial rants). These are techniques used by scammers who blackmail people into paying them to not release video footage.
- If you get someone applying high pressure on you to buy something, remember that you can always, hang up, close the door, walk away or not respond. You are not obligated to buy things from people and if they stop respecting your right to not buy, you don't have to tolerate their presence in or around your home.
Avoiding Scams
Now that we have explored how scams work and where they come from. It's time to bring it all together into a powerful personal toolkit. These are fundamental principles that, when consistently applied, offer strong protection against virtually all types of scams. Many of these strategies leverage logical thinking and a preference for clear rules, which can be real strengths for autistic individuals.
1. The Power of Independent Verification
Scammers need you to operate as fast as possible and with little to no communication with others. This is why they put such an emphasis on urgency and why, when they are impersonating someone, they make it sound as if they are uncontactable. Scammers rely on you not checking, so the best way to break a scam is to independently verify the information.
Never trust any contact details provided in an unsolicited message such as an email, SMS or call. Regardless of where someone claims to be from; police, government agencies or even a friend asking for help, you need to verify their information using known contact details or a known "official channel". Even so, you should still be wary if those contact details have been recently updated as sometimes scammers play a longer game.
To find your bank's details, use a search engine, such as Google to look up their number. If you type your bank's full name plus the words "official website" or if you use the details from an old bill that you have already paid, you will generally get safe contact details. For friends, use either a known number of contact someone else who definitely knows their number.
2. The "Pause" Principle
We've seen over and over that urgency is a universal red flag. The pause principle is a counter-tactic.
Never make rushed decisions when money or personal information is involved. Nothing is so urgent that it can't wait another day.
Scammers need you to be under pressure. They create fear or excitement to get you to do things without thinking. Before exchanging any financial information or before processing large sums of money, give yourself time to think and to consult your trusted network. At least 24 hours is recommended.
As an autistic person, you need to be aware that your may find it harder to function during periods of anxiety. The pause rule is a critical safeguard that gives your brain the necessary space to disengage from the emotional trigger and engage rational thought.
3. Build Your Trusted Network
You can't do everything yourself, so it's critical that you have a trusted "network of friends" that you can call on if anything suspicious happens. These people should be entirely trustworthy and empathetic to you. If possible, you should include someone technical amongst them (for computer and phone scams) and someone who is good with people, for in-person scams.
Before making any significant financial decision, acting on an unusual request, or if a new relationship feels 'too good to be true,' discuss it with your trusted network. They can offer a different perspective, spot red flags you might miss, and help you navigate social complexities.
Social cues and deceptive intentions are easy for autistic people to miss. Having a "committee of trust" will make this much easier.
4. Create Your Personal Rules
Most autistic people are good with rules and social stories, so one of the best ways to protect yourself is to create a list of rules that work for you. Here are some examples;
- I never click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
- I never give out my password or account details over the phone to someone who called me.
- I always verify the identity of someone asking for money or private information, using a known, official contact method.
- I always discuss new financial investments or large purchases with my trusted network before agreeing.
- I never accept a request for secrecy about money or relationships.
Consider placing the rules somewhere in your house where you will see them constantly. This will help to make them automatic for you. Having good rules takes a lot of the extra thinking away from interactions and makes your responses easier.
5. Automate & Simplify for Security
Modern systems can be automated to do a lot of things. Where possible (and where a system is trusted), it is worth trying to automate processes that can otherwise be corrupted. For example, if you automate payment of electricity and your telephone bill then you easily ignore any scam callers that ask for payment -- Automatic payments that are currently working do not need you to provide credentials over the phone.
This is the same deal with websites. If your web browser auto-fills the username and passwords for a site, you should be suspicious if you go to a site for the same vendor and they suddenly require you to enter them. Chances are that the new site is fake.
Automation, particularly when it is set up with the help of trusted individuals, can address executive function challenges, reduce decision fatigue, and create consistent, secure financial habits.
6. The Power of "No"
Learning to say 'no' firmly and politely is a vital self-protection skill against all forms of manipulation. Scammers (and hard sell marketers) are incredibly persistent. They usually don't listen to what you have to say and will continue to pressure you until they make a sale or get what they want. This can be particularly difficult for autistic people who don't like confrontation or who can be easily pressured into things that they don't want. Sometimes an autistic person will agree to something just because there's a chance it will make the other person leave them alone. You can't fall into this trap.
Some of the best ways to counter pushy salespeople is to memorize a few "scripts". For example, the following phrases might come in handy;
- That's not something I'm interested in
- I need to check with my advisor first
- I have a policy not to make financial decisions under pressure,
- No, thank you.
Remember that you can always hang up the phone, close the door, or walk away. Your safety and financial well-being are your priority. If you have let a person into your house, you can ask them to leave and if they don't start moving, you can call someone, such as a friend, or the police.
Personally, I have rule that says that if I've made it clear three times that I am not interested and the person continues to push, then all bets are off and I don't have to be polite anymore.
Why are autistic people in more danger?
Many of the most technically-minded people that I know are autistic. It's also true that many of the most perceptive and paranoid people I have met are autistic. So with that in mind, it's hard to see why autistic people are considered to be in greater danger than most when it comes to scams.
In this section, I want to explore some of the traits that can get us into trouble.
Social Naivety and Trust
Autistic people usually struggle with social situations and will either withdraw completely or "overshare" depending upon how receptive other people are to them during conversations. Given that scammers will be trying to engage their audience, its more likely that an autistic person will go into "oversharing mode". This provides potential scammers with a lot of information that they can use against their target.
Abstract Concepts
Some autistic people can struggle with abstract concepts such as loans and contracts. They may be unaware of the power of their signature or the danger of sharing information. Some autistic people struggle with the concept of credit and may over-spend not realising that they are spending money that they don't have. This difficulty with abstraction makes it easier for scammers to get autistic people to agree to terms that might otherwise be rejected by neurotypical people.
Executive Function Challenges
Many autistic individuals struggle with executive function and find it difficult to carry out certain types of tasks. As a result, they are quite used to leaning on others to get things done. They may be used to having parents, teachers, bankers, partners or other helpers assist with forms and complicated processing. This may lead them to trust an individual who claims to have their interests at heart. They may leave the finer details of the forms to a scammer without realising the danger this creates.
Special Interests
Autistic people are often driven by their special interests and a scammer that leans into those special interests may be able to manipulate their intended victims more easily. For example, if you have an autistic person with a special interest in "the lion king" and you tell them that they will get a lion king stuffed toy as a reward for sending through a photo of their driver's license, their overwhelming drive for their special interest might prevent them from realising the danger. This technique was used to great effect in several recent scams where a scammer pretending to be a car company offered a free toolset to people provided they used their credit card to pay the "postage and handling fee".
Desire for Connection/Loneliness
Many autistic people lead quite lonely lives and have a strong desire for connection. Sometimes these people make those desires very well known on public platforms such as facebook, with posts such as "I really want a girlfriend!". These sorts of posts identify them to romance scammers and due to their level of romantic desperation, they can be more easily catfished than neurotypical people.
Literal Interpretation
Autistic individuals often interpret language very literally, which can be both a strength and a vulnerability when encountering scams. While this can lead to excellent adherence to clear, logical safety rules (like "never click unknown links"), it can also be exploited because scammers can use this to give weight to their lies.
For example, if a scammer makes a direct threat – "Your bank account will be frozen immediately if you don't pay this," or "You will be arrested if you don't follow these instructions" – an autistic person might interpret these statements as absolute, undeniable truths. This in turn will induce intense fear and override critical thinking, leading them to comply without questioning the legitimacy of the demand or the identity of the person making it.
Fear of Authority/Confrontation:
Autistic people are often corrected by their parents or laughed at by their peers for social mistakes. This can often make them less likely to report issues or mistakes and more likely to agree to a cover-up if requested by a scammer. Autistic people can also be quite paranoid and particularly afraid of retribution by the government or police. This makes them quite easy to manipulate in cases where, for example, they have been tricked into providing embarrassing material online. Scammers can use this fear to threaten exposure and extort money from them.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
I'm not planning to cover responses to scams in detail here because every country has their own set of support systems and because scams are an evolving threat that needs an evolving response. What I do want to cover however is a few key concepts.
Don't panic. It's not your fault
With the rise of AI systems and more sophisticated methods of hacking, payments and social engineering, we are all increasingly exposed to scams and they are getting harder to detect. You may be tempted to blame yourself for falling for a scam but you wouldn't be the only person to fall for them. Stop blaming yourself because it's counter-productive and it doesn't do your mental health any good. Instead, try not to panic, work through the details of what has happened and report it calmly and logically.
We talked about having a trusted network earlier. This network isn't just for scam prevention, it's also for support during a scam. Your network will be there to support you, so lean on them and lean on their expertise. They will help you get through this.
Act immediately
If you fall victim to a scam, every minute counts. Research and the experience of anti-scam agencies show that funds reported as lost to a scam within the first 24 hours have a significantly higher chance of being recovered compared to those reported later. The odds of retrieving your money diminish rapidly after this critical window, as scammers work quickly to move stolen funds.
If your bank accounts have been compromised, contact your bank immediately but make sure that you contact them on official channels. Don't rely on any information that might have been provided by the scammer or tampered with by the scammer. If in doubt, get someone from your support network to confirm the contact details or to go with you (or be on the call with you) for support.
If you need to close accounts or move cards around, make sure that you do this in consultation with your bank. Changing account details might stop an ongoing scam but they may also make it harder to recover funds. You should also be aware that banks can't necessarily stop a transaction in progress, so even if you alert them early, withdrawals may continue for a while. The important thing is that once you've alerted the bank to the scam, losses incurred after notification may be "on them".
Reporting Resources
Most countries will have somewhere that scams can be reported, here are a few global resources that you can rely upon;
- United States: Reporting Scams - https://www.usa.gov/where-report-scams
- United Kingdom: National Cyber Security Center - https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/
- Australia: Scamwatch - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
- Canada: Anti-Fraud Center - https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/victim-victime-eng.htm
Seek emotional help
Scams can take a high emotional toll on people. Make sure that you lean on your support network and that you are honest with people that you can trust. Some scams, such as blackmail and relationship scams can make you feel embarassed, unloved and even suicidal but you will always have people that you can rely on who care about you. You just need to make sure that you're honest with them about how you are feeling.
Most countries have suicide prevention hotlines. If you need help, use this page to find one for your country.
Above all. Be kind to yourself.
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