Workbook: Is this a scam?

Goal: turn AI into your personal scam-checker — paste in anything suspicious and find out before you click.

This might be the most protective thing AI can do for you. Scammers target older adults constantly — by text, email, and phone. When something feels off, you now have an expert in your pocket who can look at it and warn you.

Watch how a real "should I worry about this?" moment plays out.

Watch a real conversation

You

I got a text and I'm not sure if it's real. It says: "USPS: Your package has a delivery problem. Confirm your address here: usps-trackhelp.com" — should I click it?

Please don't click it — this has the classic signs of a scam. A few red flags: the real Postal Service doesn't text links like this; the web address (usps-trackhelp.com) is not the official usps.com; and it creates urgency to make you act fast. If you're actually expecting a package, go directly to usps.com or the official app and check there instead. You did exactly the right thing by asking first.

🛑 Notice: you simply pasted the suspicious message and asked. The AI spotted the warning signs in seconds — and praised you for checking.

You

I get a lot of these. How can I tell in general whether something is a scam?

Great question — here are the most common warning signs: 1) It creates urgency or fear ("act now or your account closes"). 2) It's unexpected. 3) It asks for personal info, passwords, or payment — especially gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. 4) The web address or email looks odd or slightly misspelled. 5) It pressures you to keep it secret. If you see even one of these, slow down and double-check.

🎓 Notice: you asked it to teach you the patterns, not just judge one message. Now you can spot the next one yourself.

You

So what should I actually do when one shows up?

Keep it simple: Don't click, don't reply, and don't call any number in the message. Just delete it. If it claims to be your bank or a company you use, contact them using the phone number on the back of your card or their official website — never the contact info in the suspicious message. (In the U.S., you can also forward spam texts to 7726, which spells "SPAM.") When in doubt, do nothing and check with someone you trust.

✅ Notice: a calm, clear action plan. The safest move is almost always to slow down and verify through official channels.

You

My friend got a phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson, saying he was in trouble and needed money fast. Is that a scam too?

Sadly, that's a very common one — often called the "grandparent scam." A caller pretends to be a grandchild (or a lawyer for them), invents an emergency, and demands money quickly and secretly, usually by gift cards or wire transfer. The defense: hang up and call your grandchild or another family member directly to check. Real emergencies survive a verification call; scams fall apart. Tell your friend she was smart to question it.

📞 Notice: the AI knows the common scams by name and how they work. Asking "is this a known scam?" is a wonderful way to stay one step ahead.

A bodyguard in your pocket. Anytime something feels off — a text, an email, a call, a too-good-to-be-true offer — you can describe it and ask. Two minutes of checking can save a great deal of heartache.

Now you try — climb the ladder

Next time something suspicious arrives, use one of these. Tap Copy and paste the message in where it says.

❓ How do I paste after I copy?

On a phone or tablet: tap once inside the typing box, then press and hold until Paste appears — tap it.
On a computer: click in the box, then hold Ctrl and press V (on a Mac, Command + V).

🌱 Just ask

One plain question about a message.

I got a text saying my package couldn't be delivered and to click a link. Is it a scam?

🌿 Add a detail

Paste the actual message so it can really look.

Is this a scam? Here's exactly what it says: [paste the whole message, including any web address].

🌳 Go back and forth

Learn the patterns, not just this one.

Teach me the most common warning signs of a scam so I can spot them myself next time.

🏔️ Make it yours

Get a printable guard to keep by the phone.

Give me a short printable checklist of scam warning signs and exactly what to do when one shows up, to keep by my phone.

What you just learned

When in doubt, paste it in and ask. "Is this a scam?" is one of the best questions you can ask.
Learn the signs: urgency, the unexpected, requests for money or info, odd addresses, secrecy.
Never click, reply, or call numbers in a suspicious message. Verify through official channels.
Hang up and call back on any "emergency" call — real ones survive a quick check.

One more thing. A real AI assistant — and any real bank or company — will never ask you to pay with gift cards, or for your passwords. That request, by itself, means "scam."

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