Phishing and scam calls

Training 825 minutesphishing scams

You are 58, working at a hospital and saving for your grandkids' school year, with $2,200 on your card. The phone rings more than usual today. Scammers sound polite, know your name and rush you.

Training goal: Keep every code and password to yourself

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Situation

1. "Bank security" calls: a suspicious $900 charge on your card. The number on screen matches your bank's.

Confirm the card details, the number is real
Hang up and dial the number on your card
Ask the caller for a name and title

2. An hour later, a text: "Your account is locked, log in here." The link looks like your bank's, with one extra letter.

Log in through the link to check
Forward the link to your son to check
Open the bank app yourself, delete the text

3. A "police officer" calls: criminals are using your account, move your money to a "safe account" now. And tell no one.

Say "I will call back" and phone family
Move $2,000 to the safe account
Move half, just in case

4. A "courier" calls: "Read me the code from the text, it confirms delivery." The code came from your bank.

Read out the code, the courier is waiting
Say nothing and turn on fingerprint login
Give only half of the code

What you will learn

Caller ID is easy to fake: call back on the number printed on your card.
Never share an SMS code, CVV or password, not even with "the bank".
Skip links in texts and open your bank through its app.

Your real-life step

Turn on two-step login for your bank and email. Teach older relatives one rule: hang up and call the number on the card.

Questions and answers

What if I gave a scammer my SMS code?

Call your bank on the card number right away, block the card and change your passwords. The faster you act, the better the chance to stop the charge.

How can I tell it is a scam call?

They rush you, ask for a code, card details or a transfer, and threaten a block or the police. A real bank never asks for these.

What is phishing?

Fraud through fake emails, texts and websites that look real. The goal is to steal your login, password or card details.

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Numbers are illustrative. A game, not financial advice.