‘Suckers’ lists’ - a warning about naive/over-trusting people and scams

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

We found out about ‘suckers’ lists’ after a scam involving an elderly neighbour - she was conned out of over £100k - all in ‘payments for tax’ on a £1m ‘lottery win’.

These lists are evidently complied and passed/sold on, from any likely source.

In our neighbour’s case I am quite convinced it was because she was addicted to those Wordsearch ‘competitions’, where you so conveniently phone in all your details at ££££ per minute.

It was all done over the phone, she had no internet.

If you have any relative who does these regularly, especially if they’re also at all naive/over-trusting, do please be aware!

I remember my grandmother getting sucked in by those postal scams 20+ years ago. The more she replied to the more she got sent. It's sadly not a new thing.

The same for engaging with the scammers and trying to either outscam them for your own entertainment or telling them to stop contacting you. All you've done is confirm that you're a live one and you'll engage in conversation, and that while they might not be the one who scams you, you're worth a try.

My mum's friend got sucked in on a facebook catfish scam. She's always doing those facebook quizzes, and sharing lost pet posts, which we thought might have made her a target. Well that plus wide open facebook profile and a desperation for a romantic relationship.