Which do you think makes people more vulnerable to fraud , a lack of knowledge or desperation?

Question

Which do you think makes people more vulnerable to fraud , a lack of knowledge or desperation?

Answer 1

Definitely a lack of knowledge.

Even if you're desperate, if you're smart you won't succumb to many people trying to take advantage of you.

Answer 2

How about greed?  Too many scams out there could be avoided if not for greed.  That goes for both parties if it's a scam to "get rich quick."  

Answer 3

Absolutely desperation.  

I have a friend who is a Mensa member (a high IQ society), and when he was in need of earning more money, he almost became a victim of a pyramid sales scheme.   It wasn't until I pointed out several inconsistencies in the proposed plan that he finally came to his senses and bailed out before any money had changed hands.

Now, one could argue that a high IQ does not specifically indicate "knowledge", but in this case the knowledge requirements were more generic - it didn't take a financial whiz to see that the plan would not work for late entrants, and that the only people who were getting rich were the top two or three individuals... excuse me, "scammers".

Answer 4

I think lack of knowlege leads to vulnerability. If one has knowlege of a potential fraud, one is less likely to be victimized by it, and if one has knowlege one is less likely to get into a desperate situation.

Answer 5

Anyone who is being used or taken advantage of for someone else's benefit is just a vulnerable person period. The person taking advantage of the victim is the desperate one~~!

Answer 6

If I had to pick one it would probably be desperation; Christian missionaries go only to the poorest places in the world because they know full well that is where they will get the most converts.  They always go to Africa and parts of Latin America, but you won't see them in the Arab gulf states, Switzerland, Japan or any western European country.  By that reasoning the answer is easily desperation; not saying Christianity is a fraud as that is a sensitive topic to many people, but I am saying its sold as if though it were.  Considering the behavior of Christians, its definitely desperation.  Not just Christians but military recruiters; recruiters have now become infamous for targetting college students on academic probation, college grads that have been unemployed, or, young men out of high school who are unemployed, unemployable, and not qualified for college.  In other words, desperate young men; any army recruiter will tell you, they are the easiest young men to grab.  That is why they target them.  Not only that but desperate young men are easier to hold on to as they have nowhere else to go; in other words they have no choice but to serve Uncle Sam.

Likely, when the Xbox 360 shows its true colors early 2009, Sony's marketing strategy will likely reek of desperation exploiting tactics; former 360 owners will be extremely pissed off, and likely Sony will play on that anger to sell their system.  If successful the sales could be as high as 40 million consoles by mid 2009.  Changing the subject, also, it is easier for a lying player to bed a married woman, than a single one.  No cliche intended but, its easier for him because she is a "desperate housewife" that isn't getting any.  There is a poignant example on how desperation can make a person vulnerable to fraud.

If you have a case of a mother who newly lost her child, she will listen to anyone promising information on where they are.  However if its 20 to 30 years later, she will either be jaded or not believe it outright, or, because its been so long be more open but ultimately, the person convincing such a woman would need to provide proof.  Desperation will make dunces out of even the smartest people, as it is a state of mind deeply tied to fear.  Egon Spengler of the Ghost Buster's movie said it best when confronted by "the destroyer," the Stay Puff Marshmallow man; "Sorry Venkman; I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought...."

later.

Answer 7

Lack of knowledge. If you know you are susceptible to being played when you are desperate then you know not to appear desperate. So lack of knowledge answers both ways.

Answer 8

Both, I guess.  Look at religion . . .

Answer 9

In many cases the answer is old age. The elderly are prime targets due to decreased ability to reason and fear (in the case of cohesion). Any good salesman will tell you that it’s neither desperation nor lack of knowledge that makes a person vulnerable to fraud. It’s greed! The greed could come from desperation, but it’s still greed! It’s hard to cheat a person who is not driven to get something for nothing or something for almost nothing. With greed as the driving force a person will accept a greater risk in a transaction, because they expect a greater pay off. If you truly don’t want something for nothing, won’t accept something for nothing, are satisfied with what you have and are prone to do the honest thing you are a poor target for a con or for fraud. That’s why it’s said, “You can’t cheat an honest man (or woman)! Actually you can, but it’s much harder to do. Johnathan