How can you generally tell if someone is out to swindle you?

Question

for something or use you?

Answer 1

Gut reaction typically is the first clue. Then I pay attention to how they address me and to what they are saying (and how they are saying it). There are a lot of techniques people can use to get other people to do things they may not normally do.

1. Are they acting too friendly? Asking lots of probing questions or seem overly interested in who you are / what you do?

2. Are they trying to play to your emotions, or make an overly strong appeal to your "better nature"?

3. Do you find yourself doing all the work or taking all the risk? Especially if that person uses an appeal to your morals / emotions / guilt / etc.?

4. Do they keep trying to make it sound like you're equals and that they would really REALLY like you to do them a favor?

These things can be flags. I believe in helping people, so please consider that someone who is trying to appeal to your emotions might really need your help. It's the gut instinct thing.

Look up "Social Engineering" and you'll save yourself a lot of heartburn.

Websites for more info:
Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretexting

Security focus: http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1527

Answer 2

I work in a fitting room at a dept. store. My job is mostly making sure people don't sneak other items in to steal or steal the clothes themselves and leave their old ones. People who do that will act distracted, talk on their cells, ignore you. They're seldom offended if they think you're on to them.

Answer 3

If they act like they really like you, and try to pretend like you are old pals, and you have never met the person before, that is the the most common approach of hustlers.

Answer 4

Shifty eyes, a handlebar mustache, and a poorly concealed machete are usually dead giveaways.

Answer 5

If the deal appears too good to be true, it's too good to be true.