About this Research Topic
There has been a folk belief that older persons are especially susceptible to consumer fraud, which could be attributed to older adults’ increased trust toward other people. However, a review conducted by Ross, Grossmann, and Schryer did not support such notion – it is found that consumer fraud actually is NOT more prevalent among older persons. Given the inconsistencies between empirical data and lay person’s belief, it is essentially important for us to get a more comprehensive understanding of this topic.
This Research Topic aims to collect more studies in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the age-related differences in fraud victimization, and the (potential) underlying mechanisms (including trust of others).
Although, numerous studies have showcased the cognitive decline in older adults, which is considered a risk factor for consumer fraud, psychologists may neglect other possible protective factors in older age, such as crystalized intelligence, (approaching and avoidance) motivations, wisdom, lifestyle factors, etc. It is still not fully understood how these factors interactively influence older adults’ susceptibility to fraud. Further studies are needed in order to better understand factors (such as trustworthiness perception) that could contribute to older adults’ susceptibility to fraud, besides cognitive factors.
Submissions are welcome for the following article types: original research, review, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, research protocol, opinion and hypothesis. We particularly welcome contributions that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Systematic reviews on the prevalence of fraud targeting older adults (in comparison of younger adults).
• Risk (e.g., increased trust toward strangers) as well as protective factors (e.g., enhanced emo-tional intelligence) that are associated with fraud targeting older adults
• New types of fraud in the digital era, why and how such types of fraud could affect older adults (in terms of physical and mental health).
• (Possible) Valid interventions to help older adults avoid potential risk of fraud.
This Research Topic aims to collect more studies in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the age-related differences in fraud victimization, and the (potential) underlying mechanisms (including trust of others).
Although, numerous studies have showcased the cognitive decline in older adults, which is considered a risk factor for consumer fraud, psychologists may neglect other possible protective factors in older age, such as crystalized intelligence, (approaching and avoidance) motivations, wisdom, lifestyle factors, etc. It is still not fully understood how these factors interactively influence older adults’ susceptibility to fraud. Further studies are needed in order to better understand factors (such as trustworthiness perception) that could contribute to older adults’ susceptibility to fraud, besides cognitive factors.
Submissions are welcome for the following article types: original research, review, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, research protocol, opinion and hypothesis. We particularly welcome contributions that include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Systematic reviews on the prevalence of fraud targeting older adults (in comparison of younger adults).
• Risk (e.g., increased trust toward strangers) as well as protective factors (e.g., enhanced emo-tional intelligence) that are associated with fraud targeting older adults
• New types of fraud in the digital era, why and how such types of fraud could affect older adults (in terms of physical and mental health).
• (Possible) Valid interventions to help older adults avoid potential risk of fraud.
Keywords: Older Adults, Age-related Differences, Trust/trustworthiness, Fraud, Susceptibility to Fraud
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
