People who are more vulnerable to scams are not necessarily careless or imprudent. Often, they are simply less experienced with digital services, use financial apps less frequently, are not used to checking links, websites or phone numbers, and may be more likely to trust calls that appear official.
This category may include older people, our parents and grandparents, as well as anyone who does not regularly use internet banking, mobile applications, online platforms or other digital services. For them, it may be more difficult to distinguish between a genuine message and a fraudulent one, especially when the request comes unexpectedly and is presented as an urgent situation.
We continue our interview with Rodica Jalba, Chief Risk Officer at Microinvest, who shares practical recommendations on how, through awareness and open communication, we can contribute to the financial safety of our family.
What strategies do scammers use, and why do they work?
One of the most effective strategies is creating a false sense of urgency. The person is made to believe that they must act immediately or risk losing money, becoming involved in a serious problem or being unable to help someone close to them. This pressure works because it triggers fear and reduces the person’s ability to assess the situation calmly and rationally.
Another common strategy is impersonating an official representative. Scammers may claim to be employees of a financial institution, a public authority, a delivery company or a well-known service provider. For someone at greater risk of fraud, a conversation that sounds “official” can quickly build trust, especially when the caller speaks confidently and mentions a few genuine details.
There is also the trap of false assistance. In some cases, the scammer does not ask for money immediately, but pretends to be trying to protect the person. They may warn them that someone is attempting to take out a loan in their name, that a suspicious transaction has been detected or that urgent action is required to prevent a potential risk. This approach is particularly dangerous because the victim may believe that the caller is on their side.
In other situations, scammers try to keep the person engaged in the conversation for as long as possible. The longer the dialogue continues, the more opportunities they have to observe the victim’s reactions, understand what frightens or persuades them, and identify what information they are willing to share.
For people who are less familiar with the digital environment, all these scenarios may appear genuine, especially when they are presented in an official, calm or seemingly protective manner.
How can we protect our loved ones and prevent financial fraud?
Prevention begins with explaining and regularly repeating a few simple rules. We should remind our loved ones not to open unknown links, not to share security codes, not to discuss financial matters over the phone and, whenever something appears urgent, to first call their child, a relative or another trusted person. Educational materials from anti-fraud campaigns, including those published by the National Bank of Moldova, can also be useful. Where possible, relatives can adjust device settings to limit unauthorised access, prevent the installation of unknown applications or reduce the risk of accidentally opening suspicious websites.
Protecting people who are more vulnerable to scams is a shared responsibility. Sometimes, the most effective measure is not a complicated technical solution, but a timely conversation, a clear family rule and the habit of checking any suspicious situation before taking action.
What message would you share with people who want to protect their parents, grandparents or other loved ones from fraud?
I would tell them not to assume that “it only happens to other people.” Scammers deliberately target moments when we are in a hurry, emotional or convinced that we are speaking to someone we can trust. A short conversation with parents or grandparents about the most common types of fraud and the basic safety rules can make a real difference. Encourage them to call you before making a financial decision or sharing personal information. The best protection remains awareness, and financial safety begins within the family.
Microinvest promotes responsible lending not only by offering financial solutions adapted to clients’ needs, but also by raising awareness, helping prevent fraud and supporting financial safety. For more recommendations on how to recognize fraud attempts and which simple rules can help protect personal data, we invite you to read the previous interview on our blog and follow the educational materials published on our blog and social media pages.
