Spot Scams on the Phone, at the Door, and in Stores
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What you will learn
- 1Name the warning signs of an everyday scam
- 2Keep codes, passwords and personal details private
- 3Hang up the phone or keep the door closed when something feels wrong
- 4Tell your grown-up and let them check using a number they already have
Mini Lesson
A scam is a trick to get your money, your family’s money or private details. In Grade 3 you learned about scams online. Scams also happen on the phone, at the front door and even in stores. Scammers can sound friendly, official or in a hurry. The good news is that most scams use the same few tricks, and once you know them, they are much easier to spot.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- PRESSURE TO ACT NOW: "Pay right now or something bad will happen!" Real people and real companies give you time to check.
- A PRIZE YOU DID NOT ENTER: "You won! Just pay a small fee." If you did not enter, you did not win.
- ASKING FOR SECRETS: anyone who asks for a password, a code sent by text, a card number or gift card numbers is a big warning sign.
- "OFFICIAL" CALLERS ASKING FOR MONEY: someone says they are from a bank or a company and you must pay or share details. Hang up.
- STRANGERS AT THE DOOR: a person says they must come in to check something. Do not open the door - your grown-up deals with visitors.
- CHANGE TRICKS AND TOO-GOOD DEALS: "I gave you too much change, give me some back," or a new cell phone for $5. Slow down - it is probably a trick.
🛑 Your Four Safety Rules
- NEVER SHARE: never give out codes, passwords, card numbers or your family’s details - not even to someone who sounds nice.
- HANG UP OR KEEP IT CLOSED: you are allowed to hang up the phone or keep the door shut. That is not rude, it is smart.
- TELL YOUR GROWN-UP: tell them right away, even if the person said to keep it a secret.
- CHECK THE REAL WAY: your grown-up verifies it by calling back on a number they already have, like the one on their card or in their contacts, never a number the caller gives.
Do not open the door to someone you do not know - your grown-up deals with visitors. Never share codes, passwords or card numbers, and never buy gift cards for anyone who asks. If someone scares you, hang up or step away and tell your grown-up. If you ever feel in danger, go to your grown-up, and the grown-up calls your local emergency number.
Words to know
scam
A trick to get someone’s money or private details.
e.g. The "prize" call was a scam.
scammer
A person who tries to trick people with a scam.
e.g. The scammer said we had to pay right away.
pressure
Pushing someone to decide fast, before they can think or check.
e.g. The caller used pressure: "You must pay now!"
code
A secret number sent to your family, often by text, to prove who they are.
e.g. Never read a code out to anyone who calls.
personal details
Private facts like your full name, address, birthday or passwords.
e.g. I did not give out any personal details.
verify
To check that something is real, using a number or place you already trust.
e.g. My grown-up verified the call by phoning the bank on the number on the card.
💡 Handy Tip: agree on a family "pause rule" - when anyone asks for money, codes or secrets in a hurry, you say "I need to check with my grown-up" and stop. A real person will wait. A scammer usually gives up.
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