SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Western Mass News has noticed an increase in complaints about alleged scammers in western Massachusetts both online and on the side of the road.
“Scammers have a knowledge of psychology that Freud would have envied and so they’ll always try to appeal to whatever is going to get them some money. Sometimes, it’s empathy or sympathy for a situation,” said Bentley College Professor Steve Weisman, who is also editor of scamicide.com.
There has been an uptick in concerns about people holding signs on the side of the road in the Springfield area, looking for donations to help pay the medical or funeral expenses for a child, as seen in video captured by Western Mass News. A photo shared with us shows the sign close-up and it includes the picture of a boy. Many on social media questioned whether this is real or a scam.
Western Mass News decided to get answers on how to spot red flags and what to do if you fall victim to a donation scam. Weisman explained that unfortunately, in these situations, it’s hard to tell when someone is truly in need.
“The person with the sign by the side of the road, it’s pretty much impossible to calculate whether indeed they are a scammer or not and frankly, and quite frankly, 101 times out of 100, that’s going to be a scam,” Weisman explained.
Weisman told us it’s always important to do your research before giving money to charity, which can be hard when giving money on the spot. However, he explained when…
