An anti-fraud initiative in the United Kingdom is advising the public to abandon their natural inclination toward politeness when speaking with unknown individuals on the phone. The campaign, "Take Five To Stop Fraud," warns that scammers frequently exploit the British tendency to avoid seeming rude, which allows them to build trust and apply pressure.
A survey conducted for the campaign revealed that 53 percent of British adults admitted to remaining on unwarranted calls longer than they desired, primarily due to concerns about appearing impolite. In contrast, only 43 percent of Americans reported a similar issue, suggesting a cultural difference in communication habits.
Nearly one-third of Britons stated that the discomfort of ending a conversation abruptly prevents them from doing so swiftly. This hesitation is precisely what fraudsters leverage, according to Jess Cook of Take Five To Stop Fraud. She explained that criminals are aware of this discomfort and exploit the instinct to be polite. The campaign aims to "give people permission to put protection before politeness."
Craig Revel Horwood, a television personality and advocate for the campaign, encouraged Britons to adopt a less accommodating approach. "When it comes to fraud, being a bit rude is exactly the right thing to do," he stated. He advised that if an unexpected request for money or personal information is made, individuals are not obligated to continue the conversation. He emphasized that it is acceptable to pause, take time to verify the caller's identity, and that no one is owed an individual's time simply because they ask for it.
The survey of 2,000 adults also found that nine in ten participants were raised with the value of politeness towards strangers. Furthermore, 26 percent expressed discomfort with questioning the credibility of someone claiming to represent a public organization or essential service provider.
Last year, criminals impersonating company officials or service providers reportedly stole over £92.4 million through such scams. Take Five To Stop Fraud noted that fraudsters use various methods, including unexpected phone calls, doorstep interactions, emails, and messages, to establish trust, create a sense of urgency, and pressure individuals into divulging sensitive information or sending money.
Cook advised that if a caller unexpectedly asks for money or personal details, the interaction should be stopped immediately. She recommended hanging up, closing the door, or simply saying no, followed by independently verifying the caller's identity using trusted contact information. She assured that any legitimate organization would not object to an individual taking the time to confirm their authenticity.