Recognizing Scams
The Four Signs of a Scam
Almost every scam shows the same four signs. Learn these and you do not have to memorize every scheme.
Goal Name the four signs — pretend, problem or prize, pressure, pay — and point them out in a message.
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Sign 1: They PRETEND to be someone you know
Scammers use the name of a bank, a delivery service, a government office, a computer company, or even a grandchild. The name is the easiest part to fake.
In an email, look at the actual address behind the name. A real bank does not write to you from an address like "secure-signin.com" or "account-update.info."
On the phone, remember that caller ID can lie. Scammers can make any number appear, even a real government office. A familiar number does not prove who is calling.