A recent survey conducted by the IT Security Guru in collaboration with market research firm Censuswide and cybersecurity PR agency Eskenzi PR has revealed disturbing statistics regarding online scams and the ongoing cost of living crisis. The results of the survey showed that a surprising 11% of Britons admitted to being tempted to engage in “illegal or illicit online behaviour” as a means to cope with the effects of the cost of living crisis. What is even more concerning is that this percentage increases significantly when focusing on younger individuals, with almost a quarter (23%) of respondents aged 25-35 willing to consider such activities.
These findings shed light on the deep-rooted problem of generational wealth inequality that Britain is currently facing. The desperation and struggle to make ends meet in the face of the cost of living crisis have led many individuals to resort to illegal means, highlighting the dire state of the nation in 2023. Of those willing to engage in unlawful behavior, a staggering 56% cited desperation and the need to support their families as their main reasons.
The survey also revealed that cybercriminals are capitalizing on the cost of living crisis, with 44% of respondents reporting an increase in online scams since its beginning in late 2021/early 2022. Even more alarming is the fact that these scams have been devastatingly effective, with 13% of UK respondents falling victim to scammers since the crisis began. Among the 18-25 age range, this number rises to 26%, highlighting the vulnerability of a hyper-online lifestyle and culture that scammers can exploit.
Perhaps most worrisome is the high success rate of these scams. Twenty-five percent of those who have noticed an uptick in scams in their inbox since the start of the cost of living crisis have also fallen victim to scammers, compared to just 3% of those who have not noticed an increase.
Yvonne Eskenzi, Founder of Eskenzi PR, commented on the survey’s findings, saying, “These findings paint a bleak picture of both the current mood of many UK residents responding to the cost of living crisis, and of the cybercriminal landscape in which scammers are seeking to exploit the corresponding desperation.” She went on to emphasize the importance of caution, advising anyone tempted to engage in illegal online behavior to remain vigilant and seek expert guidance.
To help combat online scams, experts recommend several tips for identifying and avoiding them. These include checking the email address against known legitimate communications, refraining from clicking on unverified links, checking for spelling errors or typos in the message, verifying the legitimacy of the domain, conducting a quick search online to see if similar messages have been reported as scams, being cautious of messages conveying a sense of urgency, and being wary of receiving the first communication from a sender.
The survey’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the impact the cost of living crisis has on individuals and their willingness to resort to illegal measures to cope. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and education surrounding online scams, as well as concerted efforts to address the underlying causes of wealth inequality in the UK. Only then can the cycle of misery created by these circumstances be disrupted, ensuring the protection of a vulnerable general public.