How To Spot And Trash Leading (Scam) Questions

 

Right away I'd like to clarify that the analogy made in this article is used only to illustrate certain tactics  scammers use to gather information about their potential victims. It is not in any way meant to reflect on the tailoring profession or its practitioners.

Having said this, let's get started.

Before somebody can sow any kind of dress for you, they first have to take your measurement.

That's basic and compulsory, right?

Nothing gets done without following that procedure.

What does a scammer require to successfully victimize you?

They need to know the dimensions of your identity and how vulnerable you can be, particularly with regard to your:

• personal information
• financial details
• social media profiles
• other relevant online and offline snippets about you

These are the records with which scammers size up or "measure" their prospective victims.

How can they do that?

Well, while the honest practitioner uses physical tape rule, pen and paper to record your body's dimensions, the scammer uses a secret template called Asking Leading Questions.

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Leafing Question Explained

Types Of Leading Questions

How To Defeat Them

What Does "Leading Question" Mean?

Just like the words imply,  a leading question tries to do exactly that: lead you towards a certain desired direction.

It is a question-type you can't accuse of being innocent or direct.

It is typically spiced with  suggestive words to influence you to give a particular answer and  information which the scammer so desperately require to defraud you.

Think of it as carefully crafted hints to prompt or encourage unsuspecting persons to produce the kind of response the unscrupulous questioner wants.

Ultimately, the goal is to influence or cajole you to make faulty decisions or give away confidential information without realizing it.

Viewed from a legal standpoint, leading questions are absolutely objectionable, improper, and offensive, yet they are common tools which  scammers employ to commit fraud.

Here are some examples:

Clandestinely aiming to trick you into sharing your account details:

Scammer:  "Don’t you think it’s a good idea to verify your account now? I can assist if you let me have your details"

Applying  pressures on you to compel you to pay for a scam  offer:

Scammer:  "Don't  you agree that this offer is too good for you to miss it?"

Trying to get you to install malware by creating a sense of urgency or emergency:

Scammer: "Isn’t it obvious that you need to update your software now to prevent virus infection?"

Types Of Leading Questions

1. *Simple Yes Or No:

Here the scammers expect "yes" or "no" answers"  which favour them, because they can leverage on it to pounce on you.

   Example:

Scammer:  "You don’t want to lose this opportunity, do you?" 

2.  Assumptive Posture:

They won't use "if" but "when", because they already assume they know what your answer is going to be.

Example:

"When will you be sending the money?"

3. Stampede Format:

They utilize urgency-level leading questions to throw you into rushed or hasty actions:

"Can you confirm your details without delay, for verification purpose?" 

4.  Employing Flattery:

They could also try massaging your ego through flattering language:

"You seem very smart;. Really, shouldn't you be taking advantage of this offer while it's still open?" 

5.  Authoritative Approach:

Also, they could sound authoritative in order to persuade you to bend to their wish:

"As head of the unit, can I advise you act now so you don't miss this chance?" 

6.  Comparing Options:

Again, they may make unfair comparison of options in order to confuse and swing you over:

"Are you really considering an option you don't know when it will  start yielding, or will you choose ours that quickly gives prompt payment?"

7.  Inducing Guilt:

Likewise, they can contrive to create a sense of guilt in you for not complying with their request. 

"Don’t you care about your family’s future?" 

8.  Citing Exclusivity:

Some would pander to your ego by making you feel special and favoured or lucky:

"Can I confide in you that you qualify for this deal because you are one of our topmost valued customers?"

9.  Giving False Security Guarantees:

Likewise, they would offer unreliable assurance, false safety and security:

"Can I assure you that you are fully protected if you trust us with your details?'

10. Others will seek to douse suspicion and impersonate legitimacy;

"I know what you fear, but this is legit! Are you really sure you want this opportunity to pass you by?" 

How to Identify And Frustrate Scammers' Leading Questions

1. Know this:

if the question is genuine it can't be leading.

Typically it will be focused, direct, and intentional.

On the contrary, if it's leading, it can't be genuine. Its approach would rather be fortuitous, indirect, and with hidden agenda.

Therefore, in case you stay on the line discussing to that guy (not advisable), you should exercise much caution when dealing with their leading questions and don't share anything personal with them.

2. It's important you understand 

that leading questions are generally crafted or designed for a singular purpose: to manipulate you.

They do this by nudging you towards an emergency mindset and trying to force you to believe that you can only salvage the situation by doing what they are suggesting.

By all means, don't fall for it.

Refuse to be emotionally manipulated.

Trust in your own knowledge of your own true situation and let no one succeed in convincing you that you are suddenly in any type of trouble.

In any case it's better to delay and be sure, than to rush and be duped.

3.  Put on your thinking cap and apply your inborn sense of judgement.

Consider every question critically and analytically before reacting.

Do that needful seriously enough and am sure their walls of deception will soon crack and you can see through them.

Then you will know what to do, won't you?

4.  In case you are confronted with well-crafted questions

 and can't quickly recognize them as leading or deceptive, refuse to be pressured.

Ask for more time to respond.

Don't do what they want immediately..

If they keep up the pressure, terminate all communications with them.

5.. Be ever watchful and on the alert.

The moment you sense or feel that a caller is pushing forward leading or suspicious questions, hang up and block them.

6.  Enlighten yourself about scam activities.

Ask questions and make inquiries from trusted sources and authorities.

Be intentional about getting familiar with Anti-Scam facilities or functions available in your device.

Simply put,  keep yourself updated and stay informed about common scamming tactics

7.  You Should Ask The Scammer To Clarify His Questions

Frankly speaking, one of the best defences or tactics against scam or suspicious  questions is to challenge scammers to clarify their inquiries.

It not only works to put them on the spot, it will additionally give you leeway or opportunity to:

• gain valuable insight into their intentions

• slow down the conversation and it's contrived intention to create any false sense of urgency

• have more time to think and consider the matter

• stay in control of your emotions and  avoid making hasty decisions.

For example:

If a scammer says something like this:

“Are you worried about the security of your bank account, considering recent developments?” 

You may throw the question back at them, like this:

“Can you please explain to me what you mean by 'recent developments'? I am not aware of any "

Seeking clarifications signals that you are not easily manipulated.

It also forces the scammer to elaborate or refine their questions, and could reveal inconsistencies or suspicious language which you should watch out for. 

It may in fact catch them off guard, cause them to hesitate or even drop that line of questioning.

8.  Pointedly Redirect The Conversation

Shift focus of the conversation in a direction the scammer may not expect or feel comforting about.

This will help you to avoid the risky questioning and protect you from revealing personal data or information that could be used against you.

For insurance, here's a possible leading questioning style:

Scammer: “Your record here says your National Identity Card number is INI123456678.

Can you confirm that's correct, or provide the actual one so I can help you update it?"

You may reply:

"Sorry. I can't share that on the phone. Is there an alternative way I can verify my identity?"

If they say there's none, then say categorically:

" Then I will have to come to the office to do that personally. I am sure I should see you there to help me in person, right?"

Kudos.

Now you have shifted attention from you providing your personal info to seeking a safer verification method.

From all probability after your last statement, the caller is most like to terminate the chat.

9.  Target Leading Question:

Pull the plug on the scammer's tactic.

I remember one instance when I found myself entangled in such a conversation.

The caller wanted to have my BVN (bank verification number) as a requirement for receiving payment for a promo win.

Believe me I can't till this moment recall which promo he was talking about.

I definitely hadn't participated in any.

This is how I tackled him:

"I am surprised you didn't realize that even your bank tells you they wouldn't ask for your BVN on phone. In any case,  I am sure I didn't participate in any promo, but if you provide the details  ...."

I wasn't through before he hung up on me.

Yeah.

That happens once you subtly make them realize that you know they are out to manipulate you -  and you don't even need to accuse them directly.

10.  Test Their Endurance Level To Reveal Their True Colors:

Scammers can often be  impatient and presumptuous.

I discovered that one simple way to fluster them into making mistakes, is to shock them with unexpected challenging demands.

You see, being accountable is what they definitely don't want to be.

So you can ask them questions like this:

"What's the information all about?"

"And why would you be asking me that? That's my personal business, how does it concern you?"

See how they react.

Then you will know what their game truly is.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, it's essential to observe that scam activities flow from many directions and keep evolving.

One of its various facets is the use of indirect enquires to penetrate your defence and steal your secrets.

As a result, learning to spot them and applying the discussed  recommendations are necessary steps to protect yourself.

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