Scams are everywhere. Emails, texts, phone calls, social media messages – some are laughably obvious, others are scarily convincing. Lets try teach you how to be Anti-Scam.
The good news? You don’t need to be a cyber expert to stay safe. A little awareness goes a very long way – at work and at home.
This free guide breaks down the most common scams we’re seeing, why they work, and how to avoid them without turning into a full‑time sceptic.
🚨 The most common scams (and how they catch people out)
🎭 The “Something’s wrong with your account” message
You receive an email that looks like it’s from a company you trust — your bank, an online shop, Microsoft, or a social platform.
It says your account has been suspended due to “suspicious activity” and urges you to click a link and reset your password immediately… or else.
Why it works:
It creates panic and urgency. People click first, think later.
Anti‑scam move:
Don’t click links in unexpected emails. Go directly to the official website or app instead.
🎁 The “Pay now… using gift cards” phone call
You get a call claiming to be from a utility company, HMRC, or a supplier. You’re told payment is overdue and something bad will happen unless you pay right now.
Then comes the giveaway — they ask you to buy gift cards and read the codes over the phone.
Let’s be very clear:
No legitimate organisation will ever ask for payment via gift cards.
Anti‑scam move:
Hang up. It’s a scam. Every time.
😱 The “I hacked you” extortion email
This one’s designed to scare you silly.
An email claims the sender hacked your device, recorded your screen or webcam, and will send the footage to your contacts unless you pay them.
In reality, these emails are usually sent to thousands of people at once and rely purely on fear.
Anti‑scam move:
Don’t reply. Don’t pay. Delete and report it.
🧠 The big trick scammers rely on
Almost all scams have one thing in common: emotional manipulation.
Scammers try to:
- Rush you
- Frighten you
- Stop you thinking clearly
If a message pressures you to act immediately, that’s your cue to slow down.
✅ Simple anti‑scam habits that really work
🐢 Slow down
Urgency is a red flag. Take a breath. Read messages twice. If something feels off, it usually is.
🔐 Use a password manager
Nobody can remember dozens of strong passwords — and reusing them is risky.
A password manager:
- Creates strong, unique passwords
- Stores them securely
- Removes the temptation to reuse passwords
You only need to remember one good password.
🤑 If it sounds too good to be true…
It probably is.
Be wary of:
- Guaranteed “risk‑free” investments
- Huge discounts on expensive items
- Unexpected prizes or inheritances
Scammers love easy money stories.
🔄 Keep devices updated
Updates aren’t just annoying pop‑ups — they fix real security holes.
Turn on automatic updates where possible for:
- Phones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Business systems
👨👩👧👦 Why this matters beyond the office
The same tricks used against businesses are used against friends, parents, and grandparents.
Sharing this knowledge helps protect:
- Your team
- Your family
- Yourself
Cyber security starts with people — not just technology.
💬 How Core Team One helps
Most cyber incidents don’t start with hackers breaking in — they start with one click.
At Core Team One, we help businesses:
- Reduce risk
- Educate users
- Put sensible, effective security in place
No scare tactics. No jargon. Just practical protection that works in the real world.
👉 Want to know how exposed your business really is? Get in touch with Core Team One and let’s talk.
