Fraudulese: consumers encouraged to learn about the language of fraud, as 73% surveyed say they have been targeted by fake text messages or emails

5 May 2022: Visa is empowering people to learn about the language of fraud, helping them spot the communicative strategies commonly used by fraudsters and feel confident when shopping online.

Research¹by Visa shows that almost three quarters of people in Ireland (73%) have been targeted by fraudsters sending fake text messages or emails in the past six months. Of these, 38% are being targeted at least once a week. With more of us shopping online than ever before, it’s important that shoppers are aware of the potential signs of fraud. Persuasive language, unusual spelling and grammar are widely recognised as common signs of fraud. However, new analysis by researchers from the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL), commissioned by Visa, has for the first time identified the communicative strategies of fraudsters using short, one-off messages.

‘Click a link’ most common fraudster technique

Amongst the examples of fraud analysed², which included text messages, emails and social media messages, it was discovered that inviting the recipient to click a link was the most common technique (87%). This was followed by asking the reader to resolve a ‘problem’ (72%), such as rearranging package delivery times or paying a late fee and highlighting unique offers (32%). Supporting these findings, the researchers found ‘click here’, ‘account information’and ‘gift card’ to be the most commonly used phrases in fraudulent communications.

To better protect customers, Visa has teamed up with researchers from AIFL to analyse the language of fraud and create the ‘Fraudulese Report’, a collection of the most common words, phrases and tactics used by fraudsters in short, one-off messages.

Dr Marton Petyko, Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics, commented: “Our analysis is the first study of its kind that provides insight into how language is used by fraudsters in short, one-off messages, and is an important contribution to better understanding the things people should look out for when receiving unsolicited messages. By highlighting the communicative strategies, words and phrases used by fraudsters, we hope people can more easily spot the language of fraud as it stands today, which ultimately helps to protect them.”

IRISH CONSUMERS CONCERNED ABOUT ONLINE FRAUD

Fraud has become increasingly sophisticated, with senders able to imitate everything from the language commonly used by businesses or organisations to logos and names. Visa’s study¹ found that Irish consumers are concerned about being targeted by fraudsters:

• Almost three quarters (74%) of those surveyed say they’re concerned about online fraud
• More than half (54%) are concerned their parents, grandparents or children will be targeted by online fraudsters
• Almost one in ten (9%) returned a missed international phone call, which turned out to be from a fraudster
• However, 42% of survey respondents always delete unsolicited emails and more than one third (34%) check a website’s URL for spelling mistakes before making a payment

LEARNING ABOUT THE LANGUAGE

With fraudsters using various techniques to make themselves appear credible, Visa is encouraging consumers to learn about ‘Fraudulese’, to help them feel confident online.

Dominic White, Country Manager, Ireland at Visa comments: “As more of us shop online, it’s great to know that there are things we can do to keep ourselves safe. Fraudsters can be extremely clever and often it’s difficult to know what’s real and what’s not. That’s why we’re raising awareness of ‘Fraudulese’ and sharing tips on how to identify the signs, so that everyone can have the tools they need to avoid falling victim. Furthermore, when paying with Visa, you can feel confident that your payments are protected, as Visa’s Zero Liability Policy* means you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges made with your account.“

VISA’S TOP TIPS FOR SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF FRAUD

1. Spell-check messages – errors in grammar and spelling, or differences between the sender’s name and the URL link provided, could indicate it’s fraud. If you receive a message from a company or individual out of the blue, be vigilant in checking for these errors.
2. Be cautious of urgent actions – language encouraging you to take urgent action is a common tactic used in bogus communications. Look out for phrases like ‘send (…) here’ or ‘click (…) below’, or undated timeframes such as in 48 hours’ or ‘by tomorrow morning’. Always take the time to consider whether the message is genuine. If you think it’s fake, it’s important not to click on any links to avoid compromising your personal information.
3. Watch out for suspicious asks – fraudsters often entice you by either highlighting a problem (e.g., asking you to rearrange a delivery) or making a tempting offer (e.g., suggesting you have won a prize). Think about your recent dealings with that organisation or individual. If you don’t recognise the problem you’re being asked to resolve or the offer they’re trying to get you to react to, it might be fraud. If you’re unsure, don’t click on any links or contact the sender in any way.
4. Validate they are who they say they are – fraudsters often work hard to convince you of their credibility, sometimes using words and phrases that you might find in genuine communications. It can be hard to tell the difference, so if you are unsure, you can check by using a different form of communication to the one they have used to reach you. For example, if you get a text asking for bank information, try emailing or web chatting the company directly to check if it’s an authentic request.
5. Check the message with someone you trust – people can be great at understanding language and communication in social contexts. It may sound obvious, but if you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a message, it can help to discuss it with someone you trust. They may have also received a similar message and might be able to help advise on the best course of action to take. Sharing your experience might save someone else from falling victim too.

As a network working to protect payments, Visa is committed to tackling fraud to help everyone pay with confidence. In the unfortunate event that something does go wrong, Visa’s Zero Liability Policy* means you won’t be held responsible for unauthorised or fraudulent charges made with your account, so you can shop confidently in the knowledge that Visa helps protect you from payment fraud online.

If you think you have been defrauded, call your bank and explain the situation – they can often help you claim your money back.

To find out more about the protections you have when paying with Visa, click here.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About the research

¹ Research commissioned by Visa and conducted as part of the iReach Consumer Decisions Omnibus Survey among 1,000 adults in Ireland between 8 April and 19 April 2022.

²Analysis by researchers from the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics was conducted between 3^rd March 2022 and 23 March 2022. The analysis involved quantitative and qualitative analysis of 155 texts (5,891 words) qualifying as fraudulent communications in the form of SMS texts, emails and social media messages. To note, this analysis is based solely on fraudulent communication, without a reference corpus of authentic, legitimate messages from organisations or individuals, so many of the features observed may also appear in genuine communication. The analysis was based on research commissioned by Visa and conducted by Opinium with 2,000 nationally representative UK adults between 18 March and 23 March 2022.

* Visa's Zero Liability policy does not apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions or transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must use care in protecting their card and notify their issuing financial institution immediately of any unauthorized use. Contact your issuer for more detail.

Visa’s recommendations in this document are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for marketing, legal, regulatory or other advice. Any recommendations should be independently evaluated in light of your specific needs and any applicable laws and regulations. Visa is not responsible for your use of the recommendations, or other information, including errors of any kind, contained in this document.