Scams change their story often, but they follow the same few patterns. Once you know the patterns, most scams become easier to spot, no matter how official they look.
Warning signs
- Urgency. "Act now," "within 24 hours," "your account will be closed." Pressure is meant to stop you from thinking it through.
- "Your account is locked" or "we noticed unusual activity." These are designed to scare you into clicking or calling.
- Gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps or cryptocurrency. Real companies and government agencies do not ask to be paid in gift cards.
- Links and attachments you were not expecting, even from names you know.
- Requests for codes. A real company will not call to ask for the code it just texted you.
- Offers that are too good: prizes, refunds, or jobs you never applied for.
- Requests to keep it secret, or to not tell your bank or family.
The one habit that protects you
If a message or call says there is a problem, stop and contact the company yourself, using a number or website you look up on your own. Use the number on the back of your card, on a statement, or typed into the browser yourself. Do not use the phone number or link in the message.
- Hang up or close the message. You are not being rude.
- Look up the official contact information on your own.
- Call or sign in directly and ask whether there is really a problem.
Calls that sound like family
Some scams claim a relative is in trouble and needs money right away. Hang up and call that person directly on the number you already have. Some families agree on a simple code word for real emergencies.
If you already clicked or paid
- Do not be embarrassed. These scams fool careful people.
- Contact your bank or card company right away using the number on your card.
- Change the password on any account you signed into from the message, and turn on two-step verification.
- Report it to the company being imitated, and consider reporting it to the authorities.
Want to talk through a suspicious message, or set up family devices more safely? Get tech help.