Is This a Scam?
4 minute read
Got something suspicious? Let's figure it out together.
Good instincts bringing you here. The fact that you’re questioning it is already protecting you. Let’s work through this together.
The Quick Test
If any of these are true, you’re almost certainly looking at a scam:
- ❌ They’re rushing you — “Act now!” “Only 24 hours!” “Don’t hang up!”
- ❌ They want gift cards — No real company or government asks for iTunes cards
- ❌ They want wire transfers or crypto — Untraceable payments = scam
- ❌ They contacted you first with an amazing offer
- ❌ They’re asking for passwords or PINs — Legitimate companies never do this
- ❌ They’re threatening you — Arrest, deportation, account closure
- ❌ They don’t want you to verify — “Don’t call your bank” is a massive red flag
- ❌ It sounds too good to be true — It is
One “yes” = be suspicious. Two or more = walk away now.
What To Do Right Now
Step 1: Pause
Don’t respond. Don’t click. Don’t call back.
Take a breath. There is no legitimate situation where waiting 10 minutes will cause disaster. Scammers create fake urgency because thinking is their enemy.
Step 2: Verify Independently
If it claims to be from a company or person you know:
- DO NOT use any links, phone numbers, or emails they provided
- Go to the company’s official website by typing it yourself
- Call the number on your card, statement, or the real app
- If it’s “from” a friend or family member, contact them another way
Example: You get a call from “your bank’s fraud department.” Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card. If there’s a real problem, they’ll know about it.
Step 3: Ask Someone You Trust
Show them the message or describe the call. Fresh eyes catch things you miss when you’re stressed or excited.
Step 4: When In Doubt, Ignore It
Here’s the truth: legitimate companies won’t punish you for being careful.
If it was real and important, they’ll contact you again through verified channels. Banks don’t close accounts because you wanted to verify. The IRS doesn’t arrest people for asking questions.
“But What If It’s Real?”
This fear is exactly what scammers exploit. Here’s the reality:
If it’s real: The company will understand verification. You’ll lose nothing by being careful.
If it’s a scam: You just saved yourself money, stress, and hours of cleanup.
The risk of ignoring a scam is zero. The risk of falling for one can be devastating.
Common Scenarios
“Your Amazon/Netflix/Apple account has been compromised”
Almost always a scam. Log into your account directly (type the website yourself) to check. If there’s a real problem, you’ll see it there.
“This is the IRS/Social Security calling”
Scam. These agencies send letters first. They never threaten immediate arrest, and they definitely don’t want gift cards.
“Your grandchild is in jail and needs bail money”
Call your grandchild directly. Use their real number. If you can’t reach them, call their parents. Scammers research families online and know names.
“You won a prize/lottery!”
If you didn’t enter it, you didn’t win it. And real prizes never require you to pay fees upfront.
“I’m a soldier overseas and I love you”
If you’ve never video chatted or met in person, be very cautious. More on romance scams →
Someone sent you a check and wants money back
The check is fake. It will bounce in a few days, and you’ll owe the bank everything you sent.
Red Flag Words and Phrases
Scammers tend to use the same playbook. Watch for:
- “Urgent action required”
- “Your account will be suspended”
- “You’ve been selected”
- “Act now to avoid penalties”
- “Don’t tell anyone about this”
- “Stay on the line”
- “This is time-sensitive”
- “Verify your information”
- “Confirm your identity”
Trust Your Gut
If something feels off, it probably is.
You’ve been talking to people your whole life. Your brain is excellent at detecting when something isn’t quite right. That uncomfortable feeling? Listen to it.
Still Not Sure?
That’s okay. Here are your options:
- Ignore it entirely — safest choice, no downside
- Verify independently — contact the company yourself through official channels
- Ask someone you trust — another perspective helps
- Test your skills — practice spotting fakes: