Have you ever received an email or phone call that made your stomach drop? Maybe someone claimed to be from your bank, or perhaps a "grandchild" was in trouble and needed money right away.
These moments are unsettling, but here's the good news: you can learn to spot them. Scammers count on urgency and fear to cloud our judgment. This month, we're giving you the tools to pause, verify, and protect yourself with confidence.
PHISHING EMAILS: The "Too Good" or "Too Urgent" Message
Phishing emails pretend to be from companies you trust—your bank, Medicare, Amazon, or even the IRS. Their goal? To trick you into clicking a link or giving up personal information.
🚩 RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR:
✓ Urgent language: "Your account will be CLOSED in 24 hours!" or "Immediate action required!"
✓ Generic greetings: "Dear Customer" instead of your actual name
✓ Suspicious sender addresses: Look closely! [email protected] is NOT Amazon
✓ Requests for personal info: Legitimate companies will NEVER ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email
✓ Poor spelling/grammar: Professional companies proofread their messages
✅ WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:
Don't click links in suspicious emails
Go directly to the source: Type the company's website address yourself (don't use the link in the email)
Call the number on the back of your card or on official paperwork—not the number in the email
📞 FAKE TECH SUPPORT CALLS: "We've Detected a Virus!"
Your phone rings. A friendly (or sometimes stern) voice says they're from "Microsoft" or "Apple" and that your computer has a virus. They offer to "fix it" if you give them remote access or payment.
🚩 THIS IS ALWAYS A SCAM.
Here's why:
Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and your internet provider do NOT make unsolicited calls about viruses
They cannot "detect" problems on your personal computer unless you've already contacted them
Real tech support will never ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
✅ WHAT TO DO:
Hang up immediately
Do NOT give them remote access to your computer
If you're worried, call the company directly using a number from their official website or your billing statement
Never pay with gift cards—this is the #1 sign of a scam
👵 THE "GRANDPARENT SCAM": An Emotional Trap
This one is particularly cruel. You receive a call (or sometimes a text/social media message) from someone claiming to be your grandchild. They're in trouble—arrested, in a hospital, stranded in a foreign country—and they need money right now. They'll beg you not to tell their parents.
🚩 RED FLAGS:
The caller says "Don't tell Mom and Dad"
They're in a hurry and create panic
They ask you to wire money, send gift cards, or use a money transfer service
The voice sounds different (they'll claim they have a bad connection or a cold)
✅ PROTECT YOURSELF:
Pause and verify: Say "Let me call you back on your regular number"
Ask a verification question only your real grandchild would know (What's your pet's name? Where did we go on vacation last year?)
Call the parents directly using a number you already have saved
Remember: Real emergencies don't require secrecy
🛡️ YOUR 3-STEP SAFETY CHECKLIST
Before you respond to ANY suspicious message or call:
⏸️ PAUSE
Scammers want you to act fast. Take a breath. Legitimate matters can wait 10 minutes.
🔍 VERIFY
Contact the person or company through a method you already know is real (a saved phone number, official website, or account statement).
🗣️ TALK TO SOMEONE
Call a family member, friend, or even your bank before sending money or sharing information. Two heads are better than one!
💬 READER QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Q: "I got an email saying my package couldn't be delivered, with a link to reschedule. It looked like it was from UPS. Should I click it?"
A: Great question! Don't click the link. Instead, go directly to UPS.com in your browser and enter your tracking number there. If there's really a delivery issue, it will show up on the official site. When in doubt, call UPS directly. Better safe than sorry!
📱 QUICK TECH TIP
Enable "Silence Unknown Callers" on your smartphone:
iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers → Turn ON
Android: Phone app → Settings → Blocked Numbers → Unknown/Blocked Calls
This sends calls from numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail. Scammers hate this feature—you'll love it!
💙 REMEMBER THIS
You are not alone in facing these scams. They are sophisticated and designed to fool even tech-savvy people. The fact that you're reading this newsletter shows you're already taking smart steps to protect yourself.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.
📩 Have a question or a scam story to share? Reply to this email! We read every message and may feature your question (anonymously) in a future issue.
Stay safe, stay connected,
TogetherTechClub Team
P.S. Share this newsletter with a friend! The more people who can spot these scams, the safer we all are.
🔗 Helpful Resources:
Report scams: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
AARP Fraud Watch Network: aarp.org/fraud