Principle

When in doubt, do nothing and ask someone you trust

You are unsure whether a message, call, or request is real, and feel pressure to decide quickly.

Inaction has a bad reputation it does not deserve. Not clicking the link costs nothing. Not answering the call costs nothing. Not paying right this second costs nothing if the request is real, because you can pay an hour from now.

Pick one person in your life who will not judge you for asking. A family member, a friend, a colleague. Loop them in before you act on anything that feels strange. That single habit prevents a large share of real-world losses.

Scams this applies to