Staying Safe Online · Level 2 of 5 · Foundations

Spotting scams and phishing

Recognize fake messages, urgent pressure, and payment tricks.

Study notes

Phishing messages try to get you to click a link, open an attachment, or share information. They often pretend to be a bank, delivery company, or employer.
Red flags: urgency, threats, prizes, unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), and mismatched sender addresses.
Hover over or long-press links to see the real address before you click. Better, go to the site by typing the address yourself.
Government agencies like the IRS generally first contact people by mail, and they do not demand payment by gift card.
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the company being impersonated.

Quiz: 6 questions

Choose one answer for each question, then check your answers. Score 5 of 6 to pass. Then enter your name and email to download a PDF certificate and have a copy emailed to you. Answers are graded in your browser.

1. Which is a common scam red flag?

Demands for payment in gift cards A receipt for something you ordered A newsletter you signed up for A calendar invite from a coworker you expected

2. The safest way to check a 'problem with your account' email is to:

Type the company's address yourself or use its app Click the email link Reply with your password Forward it to friends

3. A text says your package is held and you must pay $1.99 at a strange link. This is likely:

A smishing (SMS phishing) scam A normal delivery notice A tax refund A software update

4. Where can you report fraud in the U.S.?

ReportFraud.ftc.gov A random social account The scammer's email Nowhere

5. How does the IRS generally first contact taxpayers?

By mail By social media DM By gift-card request By text with a link

6. Scammers often create urgency because:

Pressure stops people from thinking and checking It is polite Laws require it It helps delivery

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