Scam or Real? A Fun Scam-Spotting Activity

Answer key

1. 1. SCAM

   • “unpaid $1.99 fee”: A tiny fee is a common trick to get your card number.
   • “within 12 hours”: They rush you with a deadline.
   • “parcelpost-redelivery.example-pay.top”: The real website name is example-pay.top, not the delivery company.

2. 2. REAL

   • “ready for pickup”: It asks for nothing: no money, no link, no password.
   • “Call the number on your prescription label”: It tells you to use a number you already have.

3. 3. SCAM

   • “Please don't tell Mom and Dad”: Real family members can ask for help, but scammers use secrecy so you will not check.
   • “buy gift cards”: Nobody pays bail with gift cards. Gift cards = scam.
   • “It's me”: AI can copy voices. Hang up and call your grandchild on their usual number.

4. 4. SCAM

   • “Call Certified Support now”: Real security warnings never ask you to call a phone number.
   • “infected with 5 viruses”: Scary words are meant to make you panic.
   • “Do NOT close this window”: You CAN close it. Close the browser, or restart the computer.

5. 5. REAL

   • “appointment on Tuesday at 10:30 AM”: It matches something you expect (an appointment you made).
   • “please call our office”: No links to click and no personal details requested.

6. 6. SCAM

   • “examp1e-bank-secure”: The sender address uses the number 1 instead of the letter l.
   • “Dear Valued Customer”: Real banks use your name, not "Valued Customer."
   • “Verify your identity within 24 hours”: Threats plus a deadline plus a link = scam.

7. 7. SCAM

   • “randomly selected to win”: You cannot win a contest you never entered.
   • “send a $49 processing fee”: Real prizes never ask you to pay a fee.
   • “your date of birth”: Never share your date of birth with strangers.

8. 8. REAL

   • “new shows and movies”: It does not ask for payment or passwords.
   • “Open the StreamFlix app”: It sends you to the app you already use, not a strange link.

9. 9. SCAM

   • “a warrant will be issued for your arrest”: Government agencies do not threaten arrest by phone.
   • “has been suspended”: Benefit numbers do not get "suspended."
   • “Press 1 now”: Hang up. Call the agency using the number on its official website or your letters.

10. 10. REAL

    • “Your sign-in code is 482913”: This is real if you were just signing in yourself.
    • “We will NEVER call or text to ask you for this code”: Never read this code to anyone who calls you.

Facilitator note for group leaders

Time: 20 to 30 minutes. You need: one copy of the activity per person, pencils, and this answer key.

1. Welcome (3 min): “Scammers are clever, and anyone can be fooled. Today we practice spotting the tricks.”
2. Solo or pairs (10 min): Everyone checks Scam or Real for each example.
3. Review (10 min): Go through the answer key. For each one, ask “What clue gave it away?”
4. Wrap up (5 min): Read the safety tips together. Encourage people to share stories.

Discussion questions

• Have you or someone you know received a message like these? What happened?
• Which example was hardest to decide? Why?
• What would you do if a “grandchild” called asking for money?
• Who could you call to double-check something that feels wrong?

Want more? The online quiz with 15 examples and a free link checker are at aiseniors.app/tools.

Free from aiseniors.app, copy and share freely.