The best advice came from people who had already made the mistakes, and were happy to explain how to avoid them.

Scammers rely on urgency. Any message that tells you to act in minutes deserves a few extra minutes of doubt.

The numbers

When in doubt, close the message and open the official app or website yourself. Never use the link you were sent.

We spoke with people on every side of the issue: the ones who started it, the ones affected by it and a few who are still not convinced.

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Scammers rely on urgency. Any message that tells you to act in minutes deserves a few extra minutes of doubt.

Scammers rely on urgency. Any message that tells you to act in minutes deserves a few extra minutes of doubt.

Report it even if you did not fall for it. Every report helps platforms block the next wave faster.

Everyone thinks it will not happen to them, until it does.

A closer look

Report it even if you did not fall for it. Every report helps platforms block the next wave faster.

Behind the headline is a lot of quiet, repetitive work by people who rarely get credit for it.

Scammers rely on urgency. Any message that tells you to act in minutes deserves a few extra minutes of doubt.

  • Write down dates, amounts and reference numbers.
  • Keep a screenshot or a receipt of every step.
  • Start with the cheapest option that solves the problem.

The best advice came from people who had already made the mistakes, and were happy to explain how to avoid them.