Scam Awareness
Can you spot the scam?
Review one realistic scam at a time. Discuss what seems suspicious, reveal the red flags, then move to the next example.
Interactive Training
Common scams employees and families see every day.
These examples are written for awareness training in business environments. They show how urgency, fear, fake links, secrecy, and payment pressure are used to manipulate people.
Text Message Scam
Bank Fraud Alert
Verify your account immediately to avoid permanent suspension:
firstnational-secureverify.com/login
Reply STOP to opt out.
Before revealing: What feels wrong?
This is a smishing message. It tries to make the recipient panic and click before verifying with the bank.
Red flags
- Creates urgency with immediate account suspension language.
- Uses a fake bank website instead of the bank's official app or domain.
- Asks the user to verify sensitive account information through a text link.
- Includes "Reply STOP" to make the message look like legitimate automated texting.
Safe response
Do not click the link. Call the number on the back of the debit card or open the official bank app directly.
Text Message Scam
Amazon Package Problem
Update your shipping information here:
amazon-delivery-help.com
Before revealing: What would you verify?
Package scams work because many people are expecting deliveries and do not remember every order.
Red flags
- The link is not the real Amazon domain.
- There is no order number, tracking number, carrier name, or item detail.
- The message is generic enough to send to thousands of people.
Safe response
Do not use the link. Open the Amazon app or website directly and check orders there.
Text Message Scam
Toll Road Final Notice
Failure to pay today will result in DMV action.
Pay Now:
fastpaytoll-online.com
Before revealing: Why is the small amount effective?
Small-dollar scams are designed to feel cheaper than the time it takes to investigate.
Red flags
- The amount is small enough to encourage quick payment without thinking.
- The message threatens DMV action to create fear.
- The payment link is not an official toll authority domain.
Safe response
Do not click. Look up the toll authority independently and check your account through the official site.
Text Message Scam
USPS Delivery Hold
Confirm your information:
usps-track-package.info
Before revealing: What does the link tell you?
Delivery scams often copy trusted organization names while sending users to unrelated domains.
Red flags
- The domain is not the official USPS website.
- The message asks for personal information through a random link.
- There is no real tracking number or shipment detail.
Safe response
Use the official USPS website or app and enter a known tracking number yourself.
Phone Call Scam
Fake IRS Arrest Threat
"This is Officer James Smith from the IRS."
"There is a warrant for your arrest because of unpaid taxes."
"If you hang up, local law enforcement will be dispatched immediately."
"Stay on the line."
Before revealing: What emotion is the caller using?
This scam uses fear and authority to stop the victim from slowing down and verifying.
Red flags
- The IRS does not threaten immediate arrest over the phone.
- The caller tries to keep the victim on the line.
- Caller ID can be spoofed and should not be trusted by itself.
- Government agencies do not demand immediate payment through high-pressure calls.
Safe response
Hang up. If concerned, contact the IRS using an official number from the IRS website.
Phone Call Scam
Grandparent Emergency
"Grandpa... it's me."
"I've been arrested after a car accident."
"Please don't tell Mom."
"I need you to send $3,000 immediately."
Before revealing: Why does secrecy matter?
The scammer tries to isolate the victim from anyone who could help verify the story.
Red flags
- The caller asks for secrecy.
- The caller creates panic with an arrest or accident story.
- The caller demands immediate money.
- The caller avoids clear identity verification.
Safe response
Hang up. Call the family member directly using a known number, then contact another trusted family member.
Phone Call Scam
Microsoft Support
"Hello, this is Microsoft Security."
"Your computer has been infected with dangerous hackers."
"We need remote access immediately."
Before revealing: What is the dangerous request?
Remote access gives a scammer control over the computer and can expose files, passwords, and banking sessions.
Red flags
- Microsoft does not cold call customers to report infections.
- The caller asks for remote access.
- The caller may later demand payment to fix a fake problem.
- The message uses fear-based language like dangerous hackers.
Safe response
Hang up. Do not install remote access software. Ask your IT provider or trusted support person to inspect the computer if needed.
Phone Call Scam
Jury Duty Warrant
"You missed jury duty."
"A warrant has been issued."
"Pay a $1,200 bond today using gift cards."
Before revealing: Which payment method exposes the scam?
Gift cards are a major warning sign because they are hard to recover once the numbers are shared.
Red flags
- Courts do not resolve warrants by phone payment.
- Courts do not accept gift cards as bond payment.
- The caller uses fear of arrest to force immediate action.
Safe response
Hang up. Call the court clerk or sheriff's office using a verified public phone number.
Text Message Scam
Utility Disconnect
Before revealing: Why does the 30-minute deadline work?
Short deadlines push people to act without checking their account or calling the utility directly.
Red flags
- Immediate disconnect threats are designed to create panic.
- The payment link is not a verified utility domain.
- Utilities usually provide multiple notices before disconnection.
Safe response
Do not click. Open the utility's official site or call the number on your bill.
Phone Call Scam
Prize Winner
"Congratulations!"
"You've won a brand new truck!"
"You only need to pay the taxes first."
Before revealing: What makes this sound tempting?
Prize scams use excitement and a small required fee to make the reward feel close.
Red flags
- Legitimate sweepstakes do not require upfront fees to claim a prize.
- The victim may not remember entering a contest.
- The scammer may ask for banking details, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Safe response
Do not pay to receive a prize. Verify any contest through the official company running it.
Text Message Scam
Streaming Account Verification
Before revealing: What account could this steal?
Account verification scams are often designed to steal passwords and reuse them against email, banking, and work accounts.
Red flags
- The domain is not the official streaming service domain.
- The message tries to collect account credentials through a link.
- Payment failure language is used to create pressure.
Safe response
Open the streaming app or official website directly. Do not reuse passwords across personal and work accounts.
Workplace Scam
Fake Boss Gift Cards
I'm in a meeting. I need you to buy six Apple gift cards and text me the numbers ASAP.
Before revealing: What workplace process is being bypassed?
Fake boss scams exploit authority and urgency to bypass purchasing, approval, and verification procedures.
Red flags
- The request involves gift cards.
- The sender claims to be unavailable or in a meeting.
- The request is urgent and outside normal purchasing procedures.
- The scammer wants the card numbers, which is the same as taking the money.
Safe response
Verify through a known phone number or in person. Follow purchasing policy and never send gift card codes by text or email.
Universal Scam Checklist
Stop and verify before taking action.
Whenever you receive a call or text, ask yourself:
- Are they creating urgency?
- Are they asking for money?
- Are they asking for gift cards?
- Are they asking for cryptocurrency?
- Are they asking for passwords?
- Are they asking for verification codes?
- Are they asking me to click a link?
- Are they asking me not to tell anyone?
- Are they threatening arrest or account closure?
- Are they asking me to install software?