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📞 Phone
📧 Email
🆔 Identity
🎭 Social
📝 Quiz
Phone Scams
If someone calls demanding immediate action, it's probably a scam
$1.2B
Lost to phone scams in 2023 alone
🏛️ IRS/Government Scam
"This is Officer Johnson from the IRS. You owe $4,500 in back taxes. A warrant has been issued for your arrest. You must pay immediately with gift cards to avoid being arrested today."
IRS NEVER calls demanding immediate payment
Government never asks for gift cards
Threats of immediate arrest
👴 Grandparent Scam
"Grandma, it's me! I'm in jail and need $5,000 for bail. Please don't tell mom and dad—they'll be so disappointed. Can you wire money right away?"
Vague identification ("it's me!")
Urgency + secrecy
Unusual payment method
💻 Tech Support Scam
"This is Microsoft Security. We've detected a virus on your computer that's stealing your banking information. Let me connect to your computer remotely to fix it."
Microsoft/Apple never calls you unsolicited
Request for remote access
Claims to see problems on YOUR computer
📞 The Hang-Up Rule
If you receive an unexpected call about money, accounts, or emergencies: HANG UP. Look up the real number yourself and call back. Never use numbers the caller gives you.
Email & Text Scams
Phishing for your personal info
📦 Package Delivery Scam
"USPS: Your package could not be delivered. Please confirm your address to reschedule: [suspicious link]"
Random tracking you didn't expect
Link doesn't go to usps.com
Asks for personal info or payment
🏦 Banking Alert Scam
"ALERT: Unusual activity detected on your Chase account. Your account has been temporarily locked. Click here to verify your identity: chase-secure-login.com"
Not from chase.com domain
Creates urgency/fear
Links to fake website
🎁 Prize/Lottery Scam
"Congratulations! You've won $1,000,000 in the International Lottery! To claim your prize, pay the $500 processing fee via Western Union."
You can't win a lottery you didn't enter
Pay money to receive money = SCAM
Wire transfer/gift card payment
🔍 Before Clicking ANY Link
Hover over the link - See the real URL before clicking
Check sender address - amazon@amazon.com vs amazon@scammer.com
Look for typos - Scammers make mistakes
Were you expecting this? - Unexpected = suspicious
Identity Theft
Protect your most valuable information
1.4 Million
Identity theft reports filed in 2023
🔐 Information Thieves Want
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Passwords/PINs
• Driver's license number
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Passwords/PINs
• Driver's license number
🛡️ Protect Your Identity
Freeze your credit - Free at all 3 bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Check credit reports - Free weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com
Secure your mail - Shred sensitive documents, use informed delivery
Protect your SSN - Don't carry card in wallet, don't share unless required
Unique passwords - Different for every account
❄️ Credit Freeze vs. Lock
Freeze (Recommended): Free by federal law. Prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your name. Lift temporarily when YOU need credit.
Lock: Similar protection, offered by credit bureaus. May have fees. Slightly faster to lift.
Lock: Similar protection, offered by credit bureaus. May have fees. Slightly faster to lift.
🚨 Signs of Identity Theft
• Bills for accounts you didn't open
• Calls from debt collectors about unknown debts
• Denied credit unexpectedly
• Missing mail or email password reset requests
• IRS says multiple tax returns filed in your name
• Medical bills for services you didn't receive
• Calls from debt collectors about unknown debts
• Denied credit unexpectedly
• Missing mail or email password reset requests
• IRS says multiple tax returns filed in your name
• Medical bills for services you didn't receive
Social Engineering
Psychological manipulation tactics
🧠 How Scammers Manipulate You
Scammers exploit human psychology. They use:
⏰ Urgency: "Act NOW or lose everything!"
😨 Fear: "You'll be arrested!"
🤑 Greed: "You've won $1 million!"
❤️ Trust: "I'm from your bank..."
🤝 Authority: "This is the FBI..."
😊 Liking: Building fake relationships
⏰ Urgency: "Act NOW or lose everything!"
😨 Fear: "You'll be arrested!"
🤑 Greed: "You've won $1 million!"
❤️ Trust: "I'm from your bank..."
🤝 Authority: "This is the FBI..."
😊 Liking: Building fake relationships
💕 Romance Scam
After weeks of online romance: "I want to visit you so badly, but I'm stuck overseas and need money for a plane ticket. I'll pay you back when I arrive, I promise. I love you."
Never met in person/video chat
Always has excuse not to meet
Asks for money (any reason)
Too perfect, moves too fast
💼 Job Scam
"Congratulations! You're hired for our remote position ($75/hr). Before you start, we'll send you a check to purchase equipment. Deposit it and send us the remaining funds."
Hired without interview
Asked to deposit/forward money
Too-good-to-be-true salary
🛑 The Universal Scam Test
Ask yourself:
1. Is there URGENCY? ("Act now!")
2. Is there SECRECY? ("Don't tell anyone")
3. Is the PAYMENT unusual? (Gift cards, wire, crypto)
4. Did THIS contact YOU unexpectedly?
If YES to any = STOP and verify independently.
1. Is there URGENCY? ("Act now!")
2. Is there SECRECY? ("Don't tell anyone")
3. Is the PAYMENT unusual? (Gift cards, wire, crypto)
4. Did THIS contact YOU unexpectedly?
If YES to any = STOP and verify independently.
🎭 Scam Spotter Quiz
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GENO
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