5 signs of an online scam

A practical guide for recognising manipulation, fake messages and fraudulent requests.

Scams rarely announce themselves. They arrive disguised as an urgent message from a bank, a prize you never entered, or a relative in trouble. Five signs are worth remembering: unexpected urgency, requests for passwords or codes, offers that feel too good to be true, pressure to act before you can think, and contact from people you cannot verify. When in doubt, pause, and ask someone you trust before responding.