Think you're too clever to get conned? A new report reveals the two types of people that scammers are most likely to target and why - and if you think you're safe, think again...

Published: 23:38, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 23:38, 8 July 2026 People who are ‘educated and intelligent’ and those living in isolation are most vulnerable to scammers, according to a new report. The research by the European Neighbourhood Watch Association (ENWA) states that those who are most susceptible to scams are ‘intelligent, educated and cautious people’ as well as those who are isolated. The report has been seized on by the Irish rural community organisation, Muintir na Tíre which is currently developing a Community Safety Toolkit to train over 1,000 ‘safety champions’ to work in their communities to help improve safety, including cyber safety, locally.’ And its CEO Rosie Palmer says that thinking you’re clever is no barrier to being scammed. She points to the report suggesting that intelligent people can be more vulnerable to complex scams like financial fraud because they are accustomed to understanding things quickly. The report says that when a scammer presents a convoluted investment scheme, the intelligent victim’s ego prevents them from admitting they don’t understand, or worse, their intellect works overtime to construct a logical explanation for the scammer’s lies. Speaking about the ENWA report, Ms Palmer told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘The White Paper reveals that it is a commonly held misconception that people fall victim to scams because they lack intelligence or awareness. ‘But scams succeed because they are designed to exploit what makes us human during moments of stress and vulnerability. ‘The research highlights how individuals, when placed under pressure by scammers, can experience a “cognitive switch” where rational decision making is clouded by our human, emotional response. ‘Scammers deliberately create urgency, demands and bombardment to impair judgment and ultimately force compliance.’ When you pair this with being isolated and having no one nearby who might urge you to think twice, it’s a negative mix. Ms Palmer says the research demonstrates why scams of this nature are so successful in relying on what are ‘predictable human behaviours’. ‘Many people believe they are too savvy to be deceived, and it is this belief that actually makes them less likely to be suspicious,’ she says. The research also sets out how scammers are sophisticated in their methods. Fraudsters identify emotional or social gaps such as loneliness, financial stress or fear and construct a compelling narrative that offers reassurance or opportunity, drawing individuals into a cycle of trust and commitment. ‘This is also a factor in why crime of this nature is underreported – victims are made to feel shame and that’s why so many stay silent,’ she says. ‘At Muintir na Tíre, we strongly support the recommendation in the report that community solutions are key in combating crime of this nature. It resonates with our founding ethos of neighbourliness and self-help – empowering people with the information and the skills to look out for themselves and for one another.’ Key safety steps Ms Palmer recommends include selecting a ‘designated sceptic’ – someone in your life that you can consult before making financial decisions or sharing sensitive information. She also says that families should also consider establishing a ‘safe word’ to verify identities, particularly as new technologies make impersonation increasingly convincing. ‘Prevention is always better than the cure, but prevention isn’t about keeping up with the mind of the criminal, it’s about creating your own habits that interrupt the crime before it has a chance to happen.’ She has now called for Government funding of initiatives like Community Watch which she says must be properly resourced to keep up with the increasing challenges posed by cybercrime. Individuals can also sign up to receive ‘FraudSMART’ updates through the association’s Cairde App. The alerts are designed to raise awareness of financial scams and provide tips on how to protect oneself. Ms Palmer added: ‘It is worth noting that if cybercrime was a country its GDP would be third in the world, behind America and China. That is the state of the challenge we face.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.