LEARN THE SIGNS
A pause is a powerful habit. You do not need to spot every trick. Start with these four warning signs.
Take your time. Nothing you choose on this page is saved or sent.
Four warning signs Practice Scam guide
Four warning signs Notice the request. Choose a protective step.
“Do this right now.” Pressure to act before you can think is a warning sign.
Try this: Stop the conversation. Take time to check.
“You know who I am.” A familiar name or caller ID can be copied. It does not prove who is contacting you.
Try this: Call the person or organization using details you already had.
“Pay this way.” An unexpected demand for gift-card codes, crypto, or a money transfer deserves a pause.
Try this: Check the request independently before paying.
“There’s a problem. Or a prize.” A sudden threat, account problem, or prize fee may be a way to get money or personal details.
Try this: Open the service’s app yourself. Ask someone you trust.
Adapted from the FTC guide to avoiding scams ↗ . These are warning signs, not a complete list.
PRACTICE AT YOUR OWN PACE
Would you pause for this one?
Here are 6 made-up messages. Some are scams and some are ordinary. Read each one and decide. There is no score, and nothing you choose is saved.
Message 1 of 6 · A text message
Grandpa, it’s me. I got in a car accident and need $2,000 for bail right now . Please don’t tell Mom.
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one is a scam.
“Grandpa, it’s me.” It says “it’s me” instead of a name. Anyone can write that.“right now” A rush, so you do not stop to check.“Please don’t tell Mom.” Keeping it secret stops you from checking with the family.
What to do: Call your grandchild, or their parent, on the number you already have. Source: FTC: Grandkid and family emergency scams (tear sheet) ↗
Next message
Message 2 of 6 · A text message
Hi, this is Dr. Patel’s office reminding you of your appointment on Tuesday at 10:30. Reply C to confirm, or call the office if you need to change it.
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one looks ordinary.
What to do: It does not ask for money, codes or personal details. If you are not sure, call the office on the number you already have. Tech for Silvers advice
Next message
Message 3 of 6 · A text message
Amazon: A charge of $749.99 was placed on your account. If you did not make this purchase, call us now at (877) 555-0123 .
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one is a scam.
“A charge of $749.99” A sudden, alarming problem.“call us now at (877) 555-0123” The number in the message may reach the scammer, not the company.
What to do: Open the Amazon app or website yourself and look at your orders. Do not call the number in the message. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams ↗
Next message
Message 4 of 6 · A text message
Medicare: Your card will be cancelled today . Reply with your Medicare number and date of birth to keep your benefits.
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one is a scam.
“Medicare:” A real agency’s name can be copied by anyone.“cancelled today” A threat with a deadline.“Reply with your Medicare number and date of birth” A request for personal details you did not expect.
What to do: Do not reply. If you are worried, call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Tech for Silvers advice
Next message
Message 5 of 6 · A text from your daughter’s usual number
Hi Mom, I’m running late. I’ll be there by 6. Love you.
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one looks ordinary.
What to do: It comes from the number you already have, and asks for nothing. Tech for Silvers advice
Next message
Message 6 of 6 · A message from someone you met online
I have never felt this way about anyone. I am stuck overseas and my bank card is frozen. Please buy $500 in Apple gift cards and send me the codes .
I would pause
It looks ordinary
What to notice
This one is a scam.
“I have never felt this way about anyone.” Strong feelings, quickly, from someone you have not met.“I am stuck overseas” A reason they cannot meet you or pay for themselves.“buy $500 in Apple gift cards and send me the codes” Whoever has the codes can take the money on the cards.
What to do: Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person. Source: FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams ↗
Finish
You finished the practice.
Well done for taking the time. You can come back and practice again whenever you like.
Start again
SCAM GUIDE
Scam patterns, one at a time
Open a pattern to see an example and a protective step. Being fooled says nothing about you.
Draft: this guide and the practice notes are waiting for a person to check them against their sources.
A grandchild or relative in troubleA call or text from “your grandchild” who needs money fast, and asks you not to tell anyone.
What it can sound like
“Grandma, please buy 3 Apple gift cards and send me the codes.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
Scammers pretend to be someone you love, because you will want to help right away.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Stop replying, or hang up. Then call your relative on the number you already have for them. Source: FTC: Grandkid and family emergency scams (tear sheet) ↗
If you cannot reach them, call another family member to check the story, even if you were asked to keep it secret. Source: FTC: Grandkid and family emergency scams (tear sheet) ↗
Anyone who asks you to pay with gift cards is a scammer. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
Pay with gift cardsSomeone asks you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers on the back.
What it can sound like
“Your electric bill is past due. Buy a $300 Target gift card today and read me the numbers on the back to avoid shutoff.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
Once someone has a gift card’s numbers, they can take the money on it, even while you still hold the card.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
No real business or government agency will tell you to pay with a gift card. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
Never read, text or send a photo of the numbers on the back of a gift card to someone who asked you to buy it. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
If you already bought the cards, keep them and the receipt, and call the number on the back of the card right away. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
“Read me the code we sent you”Someone asks for the code that was just texted to you, often saying they are from your bank.
What it can sound like
“Chase: We noticed a new sign-in. A team member will call you; read them the code we text you.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
A code sent to your phone is the second key to your account. With it, someone else can get in as you.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Never give a sign-in or verification code to anyone, even someone who says they are from the company. Source: FTC (MilitaryConsumer.gov): What’s a verification code and why would someone ask me for it? ↗
If you are worried about your account, open the company’s app yourself, or call the number on your card. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams ↗
Computer help you did not ask forA pop-up, call or text says your computer has a virus, and gives you a number to call.
What it can sound like
“Microsoft Security Alert: Your computer is infected. Do not turn it off. Call support now at (888) 555-0147.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
Scammers pretend to find a problem so they can get into your computer and charge you to fix it.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Do not call a number from a pop-up or a message. Real security warnings never ask you to call a phone number. Source: FTC: How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams ↗
If you are worried about your computer, update your security software and run a scan, or ask someone you trust for help. Source: FTC: How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams ↗
Do not let anyone you do not know connect to your computer or phone. Tech for Silvers advice
“Your account is locked”An email or text says your bank or shopping account has a problem, and gives you a link to sign in.
What it can sound like
“Chase: Your account has been locked. Sign in at chase-secure-login.net to restore access.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
The link can lead to a copy of a real page that keeps whatever you type into it.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Do not use the link or phone number in the message. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams ↗
Open the company’s app yourself, type its website address yourself, or call the number on your card or statement. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams ↗
If you do not have an account with that company, delete the message. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams ↗
An unpaid toll or a small feeA text says you owe a small toll or delivery fee, and must pay today through a link.
What it can sound like
“FasTrak: You have an unpaid toll of $4.15. Pay within 24 hours to avoid a fine: https://fastrak-ca-tolls.com/pay”
A made-up example.
Why it works
The small amount makes it seem harmless. The real goal is your card details.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Do not click links in a text you did not expect, and do not reply. Source: FTC consumer alert: Got a text about unpaid tolls? It’s probably a scam ↗
If you are not sure, contact the toll agency or delivery company using a phone number or website you know is real. Source: FTC consumer alert: Got a text about unpaid tolls? It’s probably a scam ↗
Report the text as junk, or forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Then delete it. Source: FTC consumer alert: Got a text about unpaid tolls? It’s probably a scam ↗
A call from “the government”Someone says they are from Social Security, the IRS or Medicare, and threatens arrest unless you act now.
What it can sound like
“Social Security Administration: Your benefits are suspended. Call (202) 555-0199 today or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
Threats are meant to frighten you into acting before you can think or ask anyone.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Scammers use real agency names, like Social Security, the IRS or Medicare. A real name does not prove who is calling. Source: FTC: How To Avoid a Scam ↗
Do not give personal or financial information to someone who contacted you out of the blue. Source: FTC: How To Avoid a Scam ↗
Hang up. If you are worried, call the agency using the number on its official website or on a letter you already have. Tech for Silvers advice
“You won! Just pay a fee.”A call or message says you won a lottery, sweepstakes or prize, but you must pay first to collect it.
What it can sound like
“Congratulations! You won $850,000 in the National Sweepstakes. Wire the $199 processing fee by Western Union today to claim it.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
A real prize never costs money to collect. The fee is the scam.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
If you have to pay to collect a prize, it is a scam. Source: FTC: How To Avoid a Scam ↗
Do not send money, or give your bank or card details, to claim it. Source: FTC: How To Avoid a Scam ↗
A new friend online who needs moneySomeone you met online is kind and attentive, writes to you often, and then needs money.
What it can sound like
“My darling, I can finally visit you, but I need $1,800 for the plane ticket. Please wire it by Western Union today.”
A made-up example.
Why it works
Scammers build a warm friendship over weeks, so that sending money feels like helping someone you care about. It can happen to anyone.
Warning signs it uses
What to do
Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person. Source: FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams ↗
If they ask for money, a wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency, stop writing back. Source: FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams ↗
Search their name or story online with the word “scammer.” Others may have reported the same person. Source: FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams ↗
Talk with someone you trust about this friendship. Source: FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams ↗
No one to ask right now?
You do not have to work it out alone. The National Elder Fraud Hotline is free U.S. help for fraud involving a person age 60 or older. A case manager can talk with you and help you find reporting options and other resources.
833-372-8311
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern. This is not an emergency service; if you are in danger, call 911. More about the hotline .
