Spot the scam

This message is a scam.

This is the fraud department at your bank. Your account has been frozen. Do not hang up. To protect your funds, move your money to a safe account immediately and read me the verification code we just texted you.

The tells

• It asks you to read out or send a code, a PIN or a password. A bank does not need that from you, and a code it just texted you lets someone into your account.
• It says your account is frozen or about to be emptied. The fear is the tool: it is meant to make you act before you think.
• It tells you to act at once and not to hang up, so you have no chance to call the bank yourself on the number on your card.

The lesson

A real bank never asks you to read out a code or move your money. Hang up and call the number on your card.

Read the guide: A call from your bank's "fraud department" (opens in a new tab)

This message is an ordinary one, not a scam.

Your order from Garden Corner has shipped and should arrive Thursday. You can follow it in the shop's own app or on its website. There is nothing you need to do.

What to notice

• It asks for no payment, no details and no tap on a link.
• It points you to the shop's own app, which you open yourself.

The lesson

A real delivery notice usually has no link and no fee. It does not ask you to pay, click or share anything. If you are unsure, open the shop's app yourself.

This message is a scam.

Your package could not be delivered because of an incomplete address. Update your payment details and pay the $1.95 redelivery fee immediately: [link: example[.]com]

The tells

• A missed delivery or an unpaid toll you did not expect, for a very small amount. The small fee makes it easy to stop thinking.
• It links to a payment page. The page can look like the real one and is built to collect your card details.
• It asks you to update your payment details to finish. A real carrier or toll office does not send you a link to do this.

The lesson

A real carrier does not text you a link to pay a small fee. Open the carrier's own app or website yourself.

Read the guide: Unpaid toll and package-delivery texts (opens in a new tab)

This message is an ordinary one, not a scam.

Your card ending in 4821: a purchase of $42.18 at a grocery store was approved. If this was not you, call the number on the back of your card.

What to notice

• It only reports what happened, and asks nothing of you.
• It sends you to the number printed on your own card, not to one in the message.

The lesson

A real bank alert says what happened and points you to the number on your card. It does not ask for a code, a password or a payment. If you are unsure, call that number yourself.

This message is a scam.

Grandma, it's me. I'm in jail after a car accident and I need bail tonight. Please don't tell Mom and Dad. Call my lawyer immediately: +1 (202) 555-0146.

The tells

• It claims to be a relative in trouble, often just "it's me" so you supply the name. The voice may be copied or faked.
• It asks you to keep it secret and to hurry. The secrecy keeps other family from telling you it is false.
• It hands you to a lawyer or officer, with a number to call, and the money follows.

The lesson

Hang up and call your grandchild, or another relative, on the number you already have. A real emergency can wait for a call back.

Read the guide: "Grandma, I'm in trouble": family emergency calls (opens in a new tab)

This message is an ordinary one, not a scam.

Your login code is 482915. Never share this code with anyone. It expires in 10 minutes. If you did not ask for it, ignore this message.

What to notice

• It tells you not to share the code. A scammer is the one who asks for it.
• It asks nothing of you. You type the code in yourself, and only where you asked for it.

The lesson

A real code text says never to share it. It is for you to type in, only where you just asked for it. A scam is the reverse: someone asks you to read the code out.

This message is a scam.

Your Geek Squad protection plan renewed today and $389.99 was charged to your account. If you did not approve this, call our billing helpdesk at +1 (202) 555-0144 immediately to cancel and get a refund.

The tells

• A surprise charge or renewal for something you do not remember buying. The shock is meant to make you call.
• It puts a phone number in the message to "cancel" or "dispute". The number leads to the scammer, not to the company named.
• It wants you to hurry. A real company that charged you in error does not need you to act within minutes.

The lesson

A charge you do not remember is not a reason to call the number in the message. Check your statement and look up the company's number yourself.

Read the guide: Fake renewal and invoice messages (Geek Squad, antivirus, PayPal) (opens in a new tab)

This message is an ordinary one, not a scam.

Pharmacy reminder: your prescription is ready for pickup. We are open 9 to 6, Monday to Saturday. Please bring a photo ID. Reply STOP to end reminders.

What to notice

• It is a plain reminder: no link, no fee, no hurry.
• It asks you to come in person, where you can ask anything.

The lesson

A pickup reminder asks you to do nothing online. If you are unsure, call or visit the pharmacy yourself.

This message is a scam.

Congratulations! You have won $850,000 in the International Lottery. To claim your prize, pay a $300 processing fee in gift cards and send your bank account number so we can deposit the winnings.

The tells

• It says you won something you never entered. You cannot win a draw you did not enter.
• It asks for a fee, a tax or a gift card to claim the prize. A real prize never needs money from the winner first.
• It asks for your bank account number or ID "to deposit the winnings". That is how an account is taken over or emptied.

The lesson

You cannot win a draw you did not enter, and a real prize never costs the winner money.

Read the guide: Prize and lottery wins: "You won, pay a fee to claim it" (opens in a new tab)

This message is an ordinary one, not a scam.

School district: Schools are closed Monday because of snow. Buses will not run. Classes start again Tuesday. Check the district website for updates.

What to notice

• It gives news. There is nothing to pay, click or share.
• It sends you to the district's own website, with no link to tap.

The lesson

A closure notice is only information. It does not ask you to pay, click or share anything. To check, look at the district's website or call the school.