Recognize the scam playbook
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The idea in everyday life
Identify impersonation, urgency, secrecy, unusual payment, guaranteed reward, remote access, and information-harvesting patterns.
Scam stories change; the pressure and payment mechanics repeat.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
Mark who initiated contact, the claimed identity, requested action, deadline, emotional pressure, secrecy, promised reward, and threatened consequence.
- 2
Flag requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, payment apps, cash, checks with money sent back, remote device access, verification codes, or upfront fees.
- 3
Stop when an offer depends on immediate action, guaranteed returns, overpayment, easy task income, or keeping trusted people out of the loop.
See how it works.
Morgan ignores the realistic company logo and notices the recruiter demands a check deposit followed by an equipment payment.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a table for ten fictional scenarios. Record the story, pressure tactic, payment or information requested, when to pause, and a safe next action.
- Check this common mistake: Memorizing only one scam story and missing the same pressure pattern when the name, platform, or technology changes.
- You can find the control tactic and risky transaction before deciding whether the story itself sounds believable.
What to finish
A table for ten fictional scenarios. Record the story, pressure tactic, payment or information requested, when to pause, and a safe next action.
Watch for this
Memorizing only one scam story and missing the same pressure pattern when the name, platform, or technology changes.
How can I tell I understand it?
You can find the control tactic and risky transaction before deciding whether the story itself sounds believable.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video
My Action Plan to Avoid Scams
From Federal Trade Commission. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Watch for an idea you can use in the practice below. You can pause or skip this optional overview.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
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Sources and further reading
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