Verify through an independent path
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The idea in everyday life
Confirm people, organizations, accounts, listings, and emergencies without using contact information supplied by the claim.
The message cannot authenticate itself.
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
Pause contact and locate a trusted website, statement, saved number, in-person office, known family contact, or official directory independently.
- 2
Check the exact website and sender address, account history, registration, and physical location. Confirm that the claimed event happened. Treat reviews as clues that still need checking.
- 3
For a known person, use a separate channel or prearranged family verification question; treat voices, images, caller ID, and screenshots as forgeable.
See how it works.
Morgan hangs up on a bank alert, opens the bank app directly, and calls the number printed on the physical card.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a five-level verification ladder and completed verification record for three fictional high-pressure scenarios.
- Check this common mistake: Calling the number in the warning message, clicking its login link, or trusting caller ID, a copied website, or a synthetic voice.
- Every verification starts outside the suspicious communication and ends with a documented trusted source.
What to finish
A five-level verification ladder and completed verification record for three fictional high-pressure scenarios.
Watch for this
Calling the number in the warning message, clicking its login link, or trusting caller ID, a copied website, or a synthetic voice.
How can I tell I understand it?
Every verification starts outside the suspicious communication and ends with a documented trusted source.
Quick knowledge check
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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 · same video as Lesson 1
My Action Plan to Avoid Scams
From Federal Trade Commission. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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