Men with children at gunpoint: experts called the main victims of phone scams

Having a child in the family, age and even time of day play into the hands of phone scammers. This conclusion was reached by experts of the service “MTS Defender”, analyzing data on unwanted calls for the first nine months of 2026. The results of the study make you think about the vigilance of every resident of the Pskov region.

The most vulnerable category of citizens were parents. Russians with children accounted for more than half (51%) of all fraudulent calls. Attackers actively use parental fears and anxieties to bring a person out of balance.

The second alarming fact is that the majority of attacks are aimed at people aged 35-44 years, and it is often men who fall into the trap. This age group, as a rule, is the most financially active, which attracts scammers.

Experts have identified a clear pattern in call times. The peak of activity of scammers falls on the daytime hours - from 12:00 to 15:00. At this time, people are usually immersed in work tasks or household chores, their attention is scattered, and the level of alertness is reduced. This moment of weakness is what criminals take advantage of first.

Digital hygiene rules

Experts emphasize that the threat can occur at any minute, so vigilance cannot be lost. In order not to become the next victim, you need to remember the basic rules: