Scammers are always coming up with clever ways to trick people – but most scams follow familiar patterns. Want to test your scam-spotting skills? Take our short quiz and see how many you can identify correctly. Don’t worry – click the “Reveal Answer” link below each question for the answers and tips!
Question 1: The “Urgent IRS Email”
You get an email that says the IRS is about to fine you $2,000 for unpaid taxes. It urges you to click a link immediately to pay.
What should you do?
A) Click the link and pay immediately
B) Ignore the email completely
C) Verify the claim by contacting the IRS directly
Reveal Answer
Correct Answer: (C) Contact the IRS directly
Tip: The IRS will never demand payment via email or text. Verify through official channels. Be sure to read Grammy’s post on Spotting and Avoiding IRS Scams and this post on the IRS.gov site – Ways to tell if the IRS is reaching out or if it’s a scammer.
Question 2: The “Too-Good-To-Be-True Lottery”
You receive a message saying you’ve won $10,000 in a lottery you don’t remember entering. They ask for your bank info to deposit the prize.
What should you do?
A) Send your bank info and claim the prize
B) Reply asking for more details
C) Recognize it as a scam and delete the message
Reveal Answer
Correct Answer: (C) Recognize it as a scam and delete the message
Tip: Legitimate lotteries don’t notify winners this way. Never share personal or financial info with strangers.
Question 3: The “Romance Request”
Someone you met online starts sharing a heartwarming story and quickly asks for money, claiming they’re in an emergency.
What should you do?
A) Send money to help them out
B) Take your time, verify their story, and never send money to strangers
C) Share their story on social media
Reveal Answer
Correct Answer: (B) Take your time, verify their story, and never send money to strangers
Tip: Romance scams play on emotions. Always pause before trusting someone online.
Question 4: The “Tech Support Pop-Up”
A window pops up on your computer saying you have a virus and must call a number immediately.
What should you do?
A) Call the number right away
B) Ignore it, close the browser, and run a trusted antivirus program
C) Share the pop-up with friends to see if it’s real
Reveal Answer
Correct Answer: (B) Ignore it, close the browser, and run a trusted antivirus program
Tip: Legitimate tech companies won’t cold-call you via pop-ups or force you to call a number.
Question 5: The “Free Gift Card Offer”
A text message promises a $500 gift card if you click a link and fill out a survey.
What should you do?
A) Click the link – free money!
B) Delete the message and report it if possible
C) Forward it to a friend to see if it works
Reveal Answer
Correct Answer: (B) Delete the message and report it if possible
Tip: Gift card scams are a favorite way to steal money and personal info. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Takeaway
Most scams rely on urgency, fear, or excitement. When in doubt, pause, verify, and never give out money or personal information to strangers.
Think you did well? Share this quiz with friends and family – help them spot scams before they get caught.