Recognize the scam playbook
Identify impersonation, urgency, secrecy, unusual payment, guaranteed reward, remote access, and information-harvesting patterns.
My Action Plan to Avoid Scams
From Federal Trade Commission. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
During the course primer, listen for ideas that change how you approach “Recognize the scam playbook.” Pause once to capture a useful point, then apply it while producing a ten-scenario red-flag matrix showing story, pressure tactic, payment or data request, pause point, and safe next action.What this lesson is really solving.
Identify impersonation, urgency, secrecy, unusual payment, guaranteed reward, remote access, and information-harvesting patterns. This is lesson 1 because later decisions depend on a ten-scenario red-flag matrix showing story, pressure tactic, payment or data request, pause point, and safe next action. Scam stories change; the pressure and payment mechanics repeat. Use your own numbers, files, environment, and constraints so the result survives outside the course.
Understand the idea before touching the steps.
Scam stories change; the pressure and payment mechanics repeat.
Follow these steps in order.
Take the action in each step; then use the deliverable below to prove the lesson is finished.
- 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 the standard in context.
Morgan ignores the realistic company logo and notices the recruiter demands a check deposit followed by an equipment payment. The learner saves a ten-scenario red-flag matrix showing story, pressure tactic, payment or data request, pause point, and safe next action and notes the evidence or assumption behind the choice so it can be reviewed and improved later.
Inspect before you move on.
- The finished work visibly includes a ten-scenario red-flag matrix showing story, pressure tactic, payment or data request, pause point, and safe next action.
- You tested the work against this common failure: Memorizing only one scam story and missing the same pressure pattern when the name, platform, or technology changes.
- Another person could verify this mastery standard: You can find the control tactic and risky transaction before deciding whether the story itself sounds believable.
Your deliverable
A ten-scenario red-flag matrix showing story, pressure tactic, payment or data request, pause point, and safe next action.
Watch for this
Memorizing only one scam story and missing the same pressure pattern when the name, platform, or technology changes.
Prove it—don’t just recognize it.
You can find the control tactic and risky transaction before deciding whether the story itself sounds believable.
Quick knowledge check
Answer from the lesson—not from confidence alone. Score at least 2 of 3 to unlock completion.
This curriculum-aligned check is scored automatically and stored with your account when signed in. It is an objective learning signal, but it has not yet been independently validated as a standardized assessment.
Tools, templates, and references
Pass the knowledge check above first.
Completion unlocks after a score of 2 out of 3. Then confirm that you produced the lesson deliverable.
Go to the knowledge check