Recognize a scam
Learn the patterns behind suspicious emails, texts, and online shops.
Spot the warning signs
Spot online scams.
Stay safer.
Free, practical guides to recognize suspicious messages, protect your accounts, and know what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.
What happened?
Where to report a scam
Find the right service for your situation. US reporting options included.
Protect your accounts
Build a few useful habits, starting with your email and passwords.
Make a safer start
The 30-second
scam check
A quick pause before you click, reply, or pay. This checklist helps you decide what to verify; it does not certify that a message is safe.
Practice with example messages →- Was I expecting this?An unfamiliar bill, prize, or delivery request deserves a second look.
- What are they asking me to do?Notice pressure to share a password, approve a login, move money, or install an app.
- Can I check another way?Open the company’s app yourself or use a number from a statement. Don’t rely on the message’s contact details.
- Can I pause the conversation?Stop and ask someone you trust if the story feels urgent or confusing.
Source: FTC: recognizing and avoiding phishing (opens in a new tab or window).
Scam guides
Clicked a suspicious link?
Separate a simple click from a shared password, download, remote access, or payment.
Read the recovery guideWhat phishing looks like
Five fictional messages, with the warning signs explained in everyday language.
Explore the examplesIs that online shop real?
Check the seller, the deal, and the payment options before you buy.
Use the shopping checklistCommon scam tactics
“Your account needs attention”
A login alert can be real or invented. Open the service independently to check your account, instead of following the message.
Compare fictional phishing messages →“Call us to fix your computer”
A browser warning with a phone number can be a tech support trap. Don’t grant remote access to an unexpected caller.
FTC: tech support scams → (opens in a new tab or window)“This deal won’t last”
A countdown does not prove demand. Check the merchant and payment method before a discount pulls you into checkout.
Check a shopping website →“I need your help right now”
An impersonator may claim to be a relative or colleague. Call the person through a number you already have before sending money.
FTC: fake emergency requests → (opens in a new tab or window)Four habits for stronger accounts
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Give each account its own password
Use a password manager to create and store long, unique passwords. Start with email, which often receives account reset links.
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Add another sign-in check
Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) where offered. Never share a one-time login code or approve an unexpected sign-in request. MFA reduces risk; it is not a guarantee.
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Keep software current
Enable automatic updates for your device, browser, and apps. Install updates through built-in settings or the publisher’s official site.
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Prepare for a lost device
Keep recovery details current and backup codes somewhere secure. Back up important files so you have another copy.
Source: CISA: cybersecurity awareness basics (opens in a new tab or window).
Source: FTC: why protecting your email matters (opens in a new tab or window).
Messages, calls & phone scams
Focus on what someone wants you to do, rather than trying to recognize every new scam name.
Convincing messages and calls
Good spelling, a familiar face, or an authentic-looking logo is not proof. Verify an unexpected request through a separate, trusted channel, especially if it asks for money or login information.
FTC: verify the request independently → (opens in a new tab or window)Your phone needs the same care
Texts and QR codes can lead to unfamiliar websites. Don’t install an app because a delivery text tells you to. Use your device’s settings to review updates and app permissions.
UK NCSC: suspicious parcel texts and apps → (opens in a new tab or window)Free cybersecurity learning
Built around primary sources
Safety guidance links to the organizations behind it. Third-party learning picks are labeled by format and level.
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