How to Spot a Scam Before It Spots You
Reading Time: 7 minutes | Category: Lifestyle / Awareness
Written by Samson Ese | Daily Reality NG
Introduction
Scams arrive dressed like opportunities: a friendly message, a job offer, or an urgent alert from 'your bank.' In this article I explain, in clear, practical steps, how you can spot the warning signs and act before a scam costs you money or identity.
A few months ago a neighbour lost ₦120,000 to an inheritance hoax. She had every reason to believe the message — it looked official and urgent. The lesson we learn is simple: pause, verify, and refuse haste. Below are the patterns I watch for every day as a reporter covering consumer safety.
Common Signs of a Scam
- Urgency and pressure — Scammers insist you act now. Pause; legitimate organisations do not rush you.
- Requests for money or personal details — Banks, government agencies, or employers rarely ask for passwords or one-time PINs by message.
- Unsolicited contact — Unexpected calls or messages offering jobs, prizes, or refunds should raise suspicion.
- Generic greetings — Messages that say "Dear Customer" rather than your name are common in phishing attempts.
- Links and attachments — Hover (on desktop) to see a link’s true destination. Never open unexpected attachments on mobile or desktop.
- Too good to be true — Windfalls or job offers with no interviews usually are not real.
Practical Checklist to Spot a Scam
Use this quick checklist when you receive any offer or urgent message.
- Verify the sender — Call the organisation using a number from their official website, not the one provided in the message.
- Check the domain — Misspelt or extra characters in URLs are red flags.
- Do a quick search — Copy a phrase from the message and search for reports of the same scam.
- Ask someone you trust — A fresh pair of eyes often sees what you miss.
- Never share one-time passwords (OTPs) — Your bank will never ask for an OTP over chat or phone.
Real Stories & Why They Worked
Stories teach faster than theory. Here’s a shortened account of a common scam and how it succeeded.
Someone received a message claiming their parcel was held and asking for a small processing fee. The message had a realistic reference number and a link. The victim clicked, paid, and the site captured card details. The fraud was simple because it looked familiar.
Why it worked: trust in routine. To avoid this, always access delivery portals by typing the courier’s known address or using their verified app.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
If you suspect a scam, act quickly and calmly.
- Stop communication with the contact immediately.
- Record details — save messages, numbers, and screenshots with timestamps.
- Inform your bank immediately if money or card details were shared.
- Report to local authorities and national fraud reporting services. Consider reporting to consumer protection bodies.
- Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication on key accounts.
Resources & References
Reliable sources to check and report scams:
FAQ
How can I verify if a message is a scam?
Check the sender’s contact using official channels, look for spelling errors, and never follow links from unexpected messages. When in doubt, call the organisation directly.
What should I do if I already paid?
Contact your bank immediately to attempt a chargeback or card block. Report the incident to local police and any relevant fraud hotlines.
Are job offer messages always scams?
Not always, but be cautious. Legitimate employers carry out interviews and use official company emails. Avoid offers that ask for payment or personal financial information upfront.
Key Takeaways
- Pause and verify — urgency is a common trick.
- Never share OTPs or passwords with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Use official channels to confirm messages or offers.
- Report quickly — early reporting may help recover funds or stop the scammer.
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