Don’t Be Rushed: Recognising Scams That Try to Scare You into Action
Scammers often try to make you panic so that you act without thinking. They use tactics like urgent warnings or fake threats to trick you into giving away your personal information or money. But knowing how these scams work can help you stay calm and protect yourself.
How Do These Scams Work?
Scammers will often try to make you feel scared or rushed by:
Claiming there’s an emergency: They might say your bank account has been hacked or your computer has a virus, and you need to act now.
Threatening legal action: Some scammers pretend to be from the government or the police, saying you owe fines or taxes and could be arrested if you don’t pay immediately.
Pressuring you with time limits: They’ll say you only have a few minutes or hours to respond, which can make you panic and act without thinking.
What Should You Do?
Stay Calm and Take Your Time
Scammers rely on creating urgency to trick you. Pause and take a breath. If someone is rushing you, that’s a red flag.Check for Signs of a Scam
Look for unusual things like poor spelling, threats, or requests for personal information or payment through unusual methods like gift cards.Verify the Information
Contact the organisation directly using official contact details (not the ones provided by the scammer). For example, if it’s your bank, call them using the number on your bank card or their official website.Talk to Someone You Trust
When in doubt, ask a friend, family member, or someone you trust. Sometimes, a second opinion can help you spot a scam you might have missed.
Remember
No legitimate organisation will threaten you or rush you to take immediate action. If something feels off, it probably is. Take a step back, stay calm, and don’t let fear control your decisions.
Article provided by ScamSafety.com.au
