Experts explained how to recognize phone scammers during graduation season.

      May 19, 2026 12:38 Society The end of May is a time when schools bid farewell to graduates, and at the same time, phone scammers become more active. They exploit one of the strongest fears of parents – for the life and well-being of their children. Every year, hundreds of families fall victim to these fraudsters. How can you recognize scammers and avoid falling into their traps? 360.ru found out from experts how to do this.

      How scammers integrate into the agenda

      The scheme used by scammers is simple but effective. They take advantage of significant events, such as graduations or other school activities, to stir parents' interest. For example, they call and introduce themselves as law enforcement officers. They inform anxious parents that their child is in trouble and has been detained. To "resolve the issue," scammers demand an urgent money transfer.

      When it comes to children's safety, it's easy to lose composure. However, as cybersecurity expert Alexander Dvoryansky reminds, it is important to stay calm and not succumb to panic. According to him, this type of fraud has existed for a long time. Criminals are always looking for news hooks, especially during holidays or vacations. Just call your child back, he advises.

      Scammers act like experienced psychologists. They know how to play on the victim's emotions, using artificial urgency. In conversation, they often use words like "right now," "urgent," "quickly," to make a person act thoughtlessly.

      Three signs that you are being called by a scammer:

      - An unfamiliar number and a call through messengers. Official organizations, such as the police or hospitals, do not use Telegram or other similar platforms for urgent notifications.

      - A demand to transfer money or perform financial actions. This is a clear sign of fraud. "If the child is really in the police, no one will call the parents asking for money. The normal protocol is: go to such-and-such precinct," explains Dvoryansky.

      - An insistent request to provide a code from an SMS or a bank card number. In this case, you can safely hang up.

      Why do we allow ourselves to be deceived?

      According to psychologist Andrey Zberovsky, scammers continue to use this scheme because it is effective. They hit the most vulnerable spot – the fear for children. "Children are the most important and valuable thing in our lives. Being in such a heated state of mind, which paints scary pictures by itself, it is easiest to believe in fraudulent schemes," he says.

      The alarm is fueled by daily news reading about incidents. The brain gets used to negativity and begins to allow that bad things can happen to anyone. As a result, the instinct to immediately save the child blocks logic.

      What to do if scammers call you?

      Experts recommend following a clear algorithm of actions:

      - Stop and think. Before complying with the caller's demands, engage your inner critic. Don't rush to act.

      - Use an alternative communication channel. While scammers are talking about an emergency, take a few seconds to message your child in a messenger or call them. Parents should definitely have the phone numbers of their child's friends. If their number is unavailable, you can contact their friends who can confirm that they saw them recently. This will help stop the panic, advises the psychologist.

      - Do not engage in dialogue and hang up. Dvoryansky recommends not to engage in debate with scammers, not to insult them, and not to mock them. This can lead to SMS bullying. According to him, there have been many cases where a person communicated with a perpetrator for a long time, insulted them, and in response, the perpetrator activated special services. The victim's number would start receiving dozens of messages per minute.

      Technical means of protection

      The best way to protect yourself from phone scammers is to use modern digital tools. This includes features from telecom operators, banking apps, or antivirus software that label incoming calls. If a spam notification appears on the screen, do not answer the call.

      "I have a setting for 'probably a useful call' – I will answer. But if it's 'suspected spam,' I don't pick up. If you can avoid answering – it's better not to answer," says Dvoryansky. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+