Addictive personalities easy prey for scammers

What would make a person like John fall for scams and continue to send payment after payment in hopes of cashing in on that one big jackpot?

Sandi Lloyd, director of behavioral health for Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, said the compulsion could be attributed to a number of factors.

“It’s an obsession,” Lloyd said. “And we need to determine if this person we are dealing with has always been a little bit OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) in the past.”

“With OCD, they are always thinking, 'the next time, the next time’,” Lloyd said. “It’s like gambling addicts — it’s always the next hand, the next roll of the dice.”

The person who is being scammed is receiving some sort of pay off for their participation, even if it’s not financial.
“What is the pay off for the person spending the money?” Lloyd asked. “Is it feeling needed? Is it feeling wanted? Is it the feeling that someone cares?”

“A lot of people as they get older want to feel someone needs them, and if they can they will help, maybe by doing this (sending money), not only will they be getting something in return but helping someone,” Lloyd said. “They think that they can help a charity that helps people in need, and then maybe it’s not just about 'me’ but something bigger than me.”

Loneliness can play a big factor with scam participants.

“A lot of seniors don’t hear from anyone, but get this solicitation in the mail,” Lloyd said. “They have no family close by, no one cares what they do, no one really wants them.”

“So those that have the compulsion, have the need first and then a way to fulfill the compulsion.”

Those participating in scams know what they are doing is wrong, but continue in spite of their better judgments.

Fear and embarrassment also can play a role.

“They may feel really bad about doing it, but they don’t want anyone to know and think of how stupid that they have done that,” Lloyd said. “They won’t talk to anyone about it, but don’t know how to get out of it.”
Lloyd said that people with certain personalities or behaviors would be more susceptible.

“Anyone who has an addictive behavior, especially people with OCD, because they get hooked on something and don’t know how to get it go, it controls them,” Lloyd said.

“This is addictive behavior like drinking and gambling; even shopping is an addiction if it’s something you need to do every day,” Lloyd said. “And those who were workaholics who now aren’t working anymore, but still have that compulsion, are going to manifest that into something else.”

Help is available.

“There are medications that might help with OCD, and there can be work done with cognitive behavioral therapy,” Lloyd said. “Sometimes it takes an intervention by the family, which may show that the person no longer is capable of making good decisions.”

Lloyd said an optimal situation would be if the family can intervene on a temporary basis.

“I always hope they can get help and then get back onto their life, which is a win/win situation,” Lloyd said.

For information, contact Lloyd at 623-214-4210.