We live in a world where staying connected to family, friends, and the news is easier than ever. Unfortunately, that same technology also gives scammers a direct line into our living rooms and pockets. It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of strange phone calls, urgent text messages, and tricky emails. The good news is that by learning just a few common behavioral patterns, you can confidently protect yourself from robocalls, fake text alerts, and deceptive emails.
Pause, think, and verify before you take action. When in doubt, log out or hang up. Never trust contact information provided in an unexpected text, email, or call. Instead, find the organization’s official phone number on a paper statement, a bank card, or a trusted website to verify the claim directly.
Lookout for the four P’s of a SCAM to protect yourself from scammers.
Pretend – Problem – Pressure – Pay
They Pretend to be from a known organization or person.
Scammers rarely reach out as strangers.
- They mimic government agencies (the IRS, Medicare, or Social Security), well-known utilities, tech support companies, or major retailers like Amazon. They may even know your name.
- On phones, the caller ID can look like a legitimate business name.
- In emails, they slightly alter the sender’s address to look legitimate.
- They may text or call pretending to be your grandchild or friend using a “new number” because of an emergency.
They state there is a Problem or a Prize.
Scammers rely on an emotional trigger (i.e. fear) to bypass logical thinking.
- They claim your bank account is compromised, a package cannot be delivered without a fee, a utility is about to be shut off, or a computer is infected with a virus.
- They may threaten legal action, account suspension, or immediate arrest if you don’t comply.
- They claim you won a sweepstakes, a lottery, or a free government grant but require a small processing fee to release the funds.
Scammers apply intense Pressure to act immediately.
Legitimate organizations will always give people time to think, review details, or call back through official channels. Scammers cannot afford to let their targets think clearly.
- They demand immediate action to fix the issue.
- They might tell you not to hang up, not to talk to family members, and to keep the conversation completely secret.
- They take an aggressive tone if you hesitate or ask a questions. The caller often becomes pushy, rude, or intimidating.
Scammers demand a highly specific way to Pay.
Legitimate businesses and government agencies accept standard forms of payment like credit cards or checks. Scammers demand untraceable, non-reversible payment methods.
Your Quick-Response Checklist: What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
Keep this 6-step checklist near your phone or computer. If you are unsure about an email, text or phone call, use these steps to protect yourself.
1. Pause and Breathe. (Scammers want you to panic.)
- Take a deep breath before acting.
- Remember: You always have time to think.
2. Cut off Communication
- Phone: Hang up the telephone immediately.
- Text: Do not reply to the message.
- Email: Close out of the message window.
3. Guard Your Personal Data.
- Never share Social Security of bank numbers.
- Never read back passwords or verification codes.
4. Do Not Click Links.
- Do not download email attachments you didn’t ask for.
- Never allow a stranger remote access to your computer.
5. Verify Through Trusted Sources.
- Avoid clicking links in unexpected texts
- Do not download email attachments you didn’t ask for.
- Never allow a stranger remote access to your computer.
6. Report the Incident.
- Alert your bank if financial details were shared.
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) here.
- Forward scam texts directly to 7726 (which spells SPAM on your keypad) to alert your carrier.
–Tidelines Editors