Tech Help
I got a call or text that felt off — how do I know if it's a scam?
What’s likely going on
A real pattern worth knowing: scammers create urgency ("act now or something bad happens"), ask for payment in unusual forms (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), or claim to be a government agency, bank, or grandchild in trouble asking you not to tell anyone else. Any one of those is a real warning sign, not proof by itself, but worth pausing on.
Is this a DIY job or worth calling someone?
It's always safe to hang up and call the actual organization or family member back directly, using a number you already have — not one the caller gave you. If you're ever unsure, that pause is never the wrong move, no matter how urgent the call sounded.
Not sure, or ready to have someone take care of it?