Thanks for taking this course. You're about to learn how to spot scams and protect yourself online.
Here's how this works:
We'll show you real examples of scams
You'll practice spotting the warning signs
Don't worry about getting answers "wrong" - that's how we learn!
Take your time, there's no rush
Quick question to get started:
Have you or someone you know ever received a suspicious email or phone call?
(If you answered "yes," you're definitely not alone! Let's make sure you can spot them next time.)
Why Scammers Target Seniors
Let's be real - scammers aren't exactly playing fair. They specifically target seniors, and here's why:
Politeness: You were raised to be courteous, and scammers exploit that. It's okay to hang up or delete suspicious messages!
Trust: You grew up in a time when people were generally honest. The internet changed that.
Savings: You've worked hard for years and likely have savings - that's what they're after.
Less Familiar with Tech: Nothing wrong with that! But scammers use confusing tech-talk to intimidate you.
🎯 The Most Common Scams Targeting Seniors:
Fake Tech Support: "Your computer has a virus!" (Spoiler: It probably doesn't)
Medicare Scams: "We need to verify your Medicare number"
Sweepstakes: "You've won! Just send us money for taxes first"
Charity Scams: Fake charities preying on your generosity
Grandparent Scams: "Grandma, I'm in trouble and need money!"
Good news: Once you know what to look for, these scams are surprisingly easy to spot!
Let's Practice: Email #1
Here's an email that landed in someone's inbox. Take a close look and decide: Is this LEGIT or a SCAM?
From: microsoft-support@secure-services-dept.com Subject: URGENT: Your Computer Security Alert
Dear User,
We have detected suspicious activity on your computer. Your Windows license will expire in 24 hours unless you verify your account immediately.
Click here to renew your license and remove viruses: http://secure-microsoft-verify.com/urgent
Failure to act within 24 hours will result in permanent loss of your files.
Sincerely,
Microsoft Security Team
What do you think?
😬 Oops! This one is actually a SCAM.
Don't feel bad - this one fools a lot of people! Here's what gave it away:
Weird email address: Microsoft would never use "secure-services-dept.com" - they use @microsoft.com
Urgent language: "24 hours or else!" is a classic scare tactic
Generic greeting: "Dear User" instead of your actual name
Threats: Real companies don't threaten you with "permanent loss of files"
Suspicious link: That website address isn't Microsoft's official site
Remember: When in doubt, DON'T click! Call the company directly using a number you look up yourself.
🎉 Excellent! You spotted the SCAM!
You've got good instincts! Here's what probably tipped you off:
That email address is definitely not from Microsoft (secure-services-dept.com? Nope!)
The urgent "24 hours" deadline is pure pressure tactics
"Dear User" instead of your name is a dead giveaway
Microsoft doesn't send emails threatening to delete your files
That link goes to a fake website designed to steal your information
Pro tip: Real tech companies will NEVER ask you to click a link to "fix" your computer in an email. If you're worried, call them directly using a number from their official website.
Let's Try Another: Email #2
This email claims to be from Medicare. Is it LEGIT or a SCAM?
From: Medicare-Benefits@medicare-verification.org Subject: Important: Verify Your Medicare Information
Dear Medicare Beneficiary,
We are updating our records and need you to verify your Medicare number and personal information to continue receiving benefits.
Please provide the following information by replying to this email:
- Full Name
- Medicare Number
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Phone Number
If we do not receive this information within 3 days, your Medicare benefits may be suspended.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Medicare Administration
What's your verdict?
😮 Not quite! This is definitely a SCAM.
This one is sneaky because it sounds official, but here are the red flags:
Email address is fake: medicare-verification.org is NOT the real Medicare website (it's medicare.gov)
Asking for personal info by email: Medicare will NEVER ask you to email your Social Security number or Medicare number
Threat of suspension: Another scare tactic - they want you to panic and respond quickly without thinking
Generic greeting: They don't use your actual name
Golden rule: NEVER give out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or personal information through email. If Medicare needs to contact you, they'll send official mail or you can call them at 1-800-MEDICARE.
🌟 Perfect! You nailed it - this is a SCAM!
You're getting really good at this! Here's what probably caught your eye:
That email address ends in ".org" not ".gov" (government agencies use .gov)
Medicare would NEVER ask you to send your Social Security number via email
The threat about suspending benefits is classic fear-mongering
They're asking for way too much personal information at once
Real Medicare communications come through official mail, not random emails
Remember: If you're ever unsure about a Medicare communication, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) directly. Don't use any phone number provided in a suspicious email!
One More Practice: Email #3
You've got two under your belt! Let's try this one - a sweepstakes notification:
From: winner-notification@publishers-sweepstakes.net Subject: CONGRATULATIONS! You've Won $2.5 Million!
Dear Lucky Winner,
AMAZING NEWS! Your email address was randomly selected in our annual sweepstakes drawing and you have WON $2,500,000.00!
To claim your prize, you must:
1. Pay a one-time processing fee of $1,500 via wire transfer
2. Provide your bank account information for the prize deposit
3. Send a copy of your driver's license for verification
This offer expires in 48 hours! Act now or your winnings will be forfeited to an alternate winner.
Call our claims department immediately: 1-876-555-0123
Congratulations again!
Publishers Prize Committee
Your turn - what do you think?
🚨 Hold on! This is a classic SCAM.
I know it's tempting to believe you won something (wouldn't that be nice!), but here are the problems:
You never entered: How can you win a sweepstakes you didn't enter?
Asking for money upfront: HUGE red flag! Real prizes never require you to pay to receive them
Wants your bank info: They claim to deposit money but really want to steal from your account
Driver's license request: Identity theft waiting to happen
Urgency again: "48 hours or else!" - trying to rush you into a bad decision
That phone number: 876 area code is Jamaica - common for scam operations
Important: If you have to pay to receive prize money, it's not a prize - it's a scam. Publishers Clearing House will NEVER ask you to pay anything!
💪 Fantastic! You're becoming a scam-spotting expert!
You saw right through this one! Here's what made it obviously fake:
The golden rule: Real prizes never require payment to claim them
You can't win a contest you never entered (wouldn't that be nice though?)
Asking for bank account info AND driver's license = identity theft setup
The 48-hour pressure tactic to prevent you from thinking clearly
That 876 phone number is from Jamaica - a known hub for sweepstakes scams
Legitimate sweepstakes will send official paperwork and never rush you
Fun fact: If Publishers Clearing House actually picks you, they show up at your door with balloons, cameras, and a giant check - not with an email asking for money! 😄
🔍 The 7 Key Clues to Spot Fraud
You've practiced with real examples - now let's put it all together. These 7 clues will help you spot almost ANY scam:
1. 🎭 Poor Grammar & Spelling
Legitimate companies proofread their emails. Look for weird phrasing, misspellings, or sentences that don't quite make sense. Example: "You account has been compromise" - real companies don't write like that!
2. 🔐 Requests for Personal Information
Banks, Medicare, the IRS, and legitimate companies will NEVER ask you to send passwords, Social Security numbers, account numbers, or credit card info via email. Never, ever, ever.
3. 🎁 Offers That Are Too Good to Be True
Won $2 million without entering? Free iPhone for clicking a link? Pills that cure everything? If it sounds too good to be true, it absolutely is. Trust your gut on this one.
4. 📎 Unexpected Attachments
If you weren't expecting an attachment (especially from someone you don't know), DON'T open it. Attachments can install viruses that steal your information or lock your computer.
5. ⏰ Creating Urgency or Fear
"Act now or lose everything!" "Your account will be closed in 24 hours!" Scammers rush you so you don't have time to think. Legitimate companies give you reasonable time to respond.
6. 🌐 Suspicious Links
Before clicking any link, hover your mouse over it (don't click!) to see where it really goes. Does "microsoft.com" actually go to "microsofft-secure.net"? Red flag! When in doubt, type the company's real website address yourself.
7. 📧 Strange Email Addresses
Look closely at who the email is really from. "amazon@service-verify.net" is NOT Amazon. Real companies use their actual domain names (like @amazon.com, @medicare.gov, @irs.gov).
💡 Memory Trick: You don't need to memorize all seven! Just remember: When something feels "off," STOP and THINK before you ACT. That simple pause can save you thousands of dollars.
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
Now that you can spot scams, let's talk about how to prevent them from reaching you in the first place:
Strong Passwords Are Your First Defense
Use different passwords for different accounts (I know, it's a pain!)
Make them at least 12 characters long
Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Consider a password manager (or write them in a notebook you keep secure)
🔑 Easy Password Trick: Think of a sentence you'll remember, then use the first letter of each word plus numbers. Example: "My daughter Susan was born in 1985" becomes "MdSwbi1985!" - Easy to remember, hard to crack!
Don't Click Unknown Links
If an email seems suspicious, don't click ANY links in it
Instead, open your browser and type the company's website address yourself
Or call the company directly using a phone number from their official website
When In Doubt, Verify!
Got an email from your "bank"? Call them using the number on your debit card
Email from "Amazon"? Log into your actual Amazon account to check
"Microsoft" calling? Hang up and call Microsoft yourself
📞 The Golden Rule: It's ALWAYS okay to say "Let me call you back" or "Let me verify this first." Real companies will understand. Scammers will get pushy - and that's your clue!
Keep Your Computer Protected
Use antivirus software (Windows Defender is built-in and works great!)
Keep your computer updated (yes, those annoying Windows updates actually help!)
Back up important files (photos, documents) to an external drive or cloud service
Be Careful What You Share Online
Don't post your full birthdate, address, or phone number on social media
Be cautious about friend requests from people you don't know
Remember: Once something is online, it's there forever
🚨 What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
First things first: Don't panic! Just finding out it's a scam means you're doing great. Here's your action plan:
STOP Immediately!
Don't click any more links
Don't download any attachments
Don't send money or gift cards
Don't give out any more information
If on the phone, just hang up - you don't owe them an explanation
Call Someone You Trust
Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about what happened. Sometimes just saying it out loud helps you realize it's a scam. Plus, they can help you figure out next steps.
If You Think You've Been Scammed:
Contact Your Bank Immediately
If you gave out bank information or sent money, call your bank right away. They can often stop transactions or protect your account. The sooner you call, the better!
Change Your Passwords
If you gave out a password (it happens!), change it immediately - and change it on any other accounts where you used the same password.
Report the Scam
This helps protect others! Report it to:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): ReportFraud.ftc.gov
FBI's IC3: ic3.gov (for internet crimes)
Local Police: Especially if you lost money
Your State Attorney General: They track scams in your area
Monitor Your Accounts
Keep a close eye on your bank statements, credit card statements, and credit reports for the next few months. Look for any charges you don't recognize.
💚 Important Message: Getting scammed does NOT mean you're gullible or foolish. These criminals are professionals who trick people every day. What matters is that you caught it and took action. That takes smarts!
📝 Final Check: Can You Spot This One?
Let's see how much you've learned! Here's one more email to evaluate:
From: security-alert@bankofamerica-secure.com Subject: Suspicious Activity Detected on Your Account
Dear Valued Customer,
We noticed unusual activity on your account and need you to verify your identity to prevent your account from being locked.
Please click the link below and enter your:
• Online Banking Username
• Online Banking Password
• Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
• Debit Card Number and PIN
You have 12 hours to complete this verification or your account will be permanently closed and you will lose access to your funds.
Thank you for banking with us.
Bank of America Security Department
This is your final test - what's your answer?
💭 Let's review this one together - it's a SCAM!
This one combines multiple red flags we've learned about:
Email address: "bankofamerica-secure.com" is NOT the real Bank of America (it's bankofamerica.com)
Asking for passwords: Banks NEVER ask for your password - they already have it!
Wants your PIN: Massive red flag - no one should ever ask for your PIN
Suspicious link: That website address is fake
Urgency tactic: "12 hours or lose your money!" - classic scare strategy
Generic greeting: Your real bank uses your actual name
What to do instead: If worried about your account, close the email and call the number on the back of your debit card. Or log into your account by typing the bank's website yourself.
🏆 OUTSTANDING! You've Mastered This!
Look at you - spotting scams like a pro! You caught every warning sign:
You now know: Real banks will NEVER email asking for passwords, PINs, or full account numbers. If you're ever concerned about your account, call the bank directly using the number on your card or statement - not a number from an email!