Scam Detection Test Lv2
Read each scenario and decide — scam or legit? Scam-detection test, Lv2.
That text you get every day — is it real?
'Your package is being returned, address unknown,' 'an unpaid customs fee remains,' 'an overseas payment was approved' — texts like these arrive several times a day. Where does real end and fake begin? Lv2 covers the everyday scams we actually receive most often.
Scams at this level aren't as absurd as Lv1. They bait you with 'a situation that could plausibly happen.' So don't judge by whether the situation seems believable — judge by whether the text is trying to make you click a link or pry information out of you.
Impersonating family and friends
A chat that opens with 'Mom, my phone broke, this is my new number' is a classic impersonation trick. It keeps the conversation natural, then drifts toward 'it's urgent, send some money to this account' or 'just text me a gift-card number.' It exploits the guard you drop for someone you know.
The right move is not to resolve it inside the message, but to call the number you already had and confirm directly. Real family won't be flustered by 'why money, all of a sudden?' If they rush you and block you from confirming, that itself is the scam signal.
Link, password, money — remember just these three
Everyday scams may look endlessly varied, but they're after one of three things: getting you to click a fake link and enter personal data (smishing), coaxing out your password or one-time code to hijack your account, or making you send money outright.
So when a text arrives, just check three things: is it telling me to click a link, asking for a secret, or demanding money? If even one applies, stop no matter how plausible the situation feels, and verify directly through the official app or support line.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a delivery text has a link, is it always a scam?
A link alone doesn't make it a scam, but if that link asks you to enter a login, card number, or ID, it's almost certainly one. For deliveries, it's safer to check the tracking number in the carrier's official app rather than tapping a text link.
A 'new number' family message — how do I verify it?
Don't reply to that message; call the original saved number directly instead. If it urgently demands money or a gift-card number, impersonation is very likely.
What is smishing?
It's a scam that sends a fake link by text (SMS) to steal personal data or money. It typically disguises itself as something you'd want to tap — deliveries, customs, fines, health checkups, and the like.