The OCD Scammer

[Natureloverpeace]

Getting a phone call where the person tells you that your computer is in danger of being seriously compromised and that you must act now by giving the person remote access to your computer so that they can prevent the imminent threat is a common scam. Another one is where your grandkid is supposedly calling you to say that they are in jail and that they need your money immediately to get out now. The list of scams just keeps growing. The OCD bully/dictator/ manipulator uses this method too. It preys on your emotions, doubts and distress intolerance to get what it wants. It’s never satisfied though and will keep trying to scam you to get what it wants. It can be successful because it provides some temporary relief to its victims and then the victims start to believe that they have to obey this scammer to feel better or avoid what the scammer presents as an imminent threat. Through ERP, the victim learns that the scammer was trying to pull the wool over their eyes and that they can handle distress and uncertainty. Stand up to the scammer.

[Sallyskins]

I swear at them and hang up!

[SCC1 in reply to Sallyskins]

We don't even answer the phone. So I guess it could be like not answering our OCD.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to SCC1]

Exactly, don’t engage with it. It’s a master manipulator.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to Sallyskins]

I don’t even bother to answer unknown numbers. If you answer, they know it’s a legitimate number and may try again from another spoofed number with a different scam.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to Sallyskins]

I don’t blame you though, those calls are annoying.