Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 Quiz

(B) That’s Evil Twin Phishing. A scammer set up a fake WiFi network designed to look like the real airport network, then sat back and collected every login, password, and piece of personal information that passed through it. Pharming is a tempting answer here — both involve being redirected somewhere dangerous without realizing it. The key difference is that Evil Twin Phishing uses a fake network to intercept you, while Pharming tampers with the system that translates web addresses. Public WiFi is one of the most dangerous places to access sensitive accounts. When in doubt, use your phone’s mobile data instead. Head back to Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 for the full rundown.

(A) That’s a Grandparent Scam – though if you said Imposter Scam or Vishing, you’re not entirely wrong, and here’s why. All three elements are present. It’s delivered by voice call (Vishing), it involves someone pretending to be a person they’re not (Imposter Scam), and it specifically targets an older adult by impersonating a family member in crisis (Grandparent Scam). When a scam has a specific name, it usually means that particular combination of tactics has become common enough to earn its own entry in the Scamcabulary. The “don’t tell anyone” instruction is a deliberate tactic to keep the victim isolated. Before anyone sends a dime, hang up and call the family member directly on their known number. Every single time. See Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 for more.

(C) This one is genuinely tricky, and you get credit for either Phishing or Spear Phishing depending on one key detail.

If it was a generic email sent to thousands of people, that’s Phishing. If scammers researched you first and knew you actually had a recent Amazon order, making the email feel personally tailored, that’s Spear Phishing. Clone Phishing is close but slightly different – that’s when scammers copy a real email you’ve previously received and swap out the links. Pharming would apply if you’d typed Amazon’s address correctly yourself and still ended up somewhere fake.

Scams don’t always fit neatly into one box. That’s what makes them so effective. Read all the relevant entries in Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101.

(B) That’s Pig Butchering – and the name, as uncomfortable as it is, describes exactly what happened. Romance Scam is a reasonable guess because the relationship was clearly part of the setup. But Pig Butchering is a specific and particularly devastating variation where the romantic connection is used specifically to funnel victims into a fake investment scheme.

The scammer spent months building trust before leading you to the slaughter. The fake returns, the endless fees, the disappearing act – all part of a carefully rehearsed script run by sophisticated criminal organizations. If someone you’ve only met online starts talking investments, stop. Full stop. See Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 for more.

(C) That’s Quishing – phishing via QR code. Scammers place fake QR code stickers directly on top of legitimate ones in high-traffic public places. Parking meters, restaurant tables, package delivery notices. Pharming is a reasonable thought since you ended up on a fake page, but Pharming involves tampering with web address systems rather than a physical fake code.

Before scanning any QR code in a public place, look closely. If it’s a sticker that appears to be placed over something else, don’t scan it. When possible, type the payment address directly into your browser. Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 has the full breakdown.

(B) That’s Angler Phishing. Scammers actively monitor social media for frustrated customers complaining about banks, utility companies, retailers, and service providers. They swoop in quickly, look official, and make you feel like help has finally arrived. It hasn’t. Pretexting is a fair guess since the scammer is definitely using a fabricated story, but Angler Phishing is the specific term for this social media monitoring tactic.

Never share account information or click links from someone who reaches out to you through a comment or DM in response to a complaint. Always contact the company directly through their official website. See Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 for more.

That’s Smishing – phishing delivered by text message. Vishing is voice-based, so that’s out. Phishing is the tempting answer since the mechanics are identical, but Smishing is the specific term when the delivery method is a text message. The channel matters because it changes how you protect yourself. Your bank will almost never ask you to click a link in a text message to resolve an account issue.

If you’re genuinely worried, close the text, open your bank’s official app, or call the number on the back of your debit card. Read more in Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101.

(C) That’s an Imposter Scam – though all three answers have merit here, and that’s intentional. It’s delivered by voice call, so Vishing applies. The caller invented an elaborate backstory to manipulate you, so Pretexting applies too. But Imposter Scam is the most specific and accurate label because the defining tactic is pretending to be a government official to weaponize fear and urgency.

Here are the facts: the Social Security Administration does not suspend Social Security numbers. Federal marshals do not call to warn you about warrants. No legitimate government agency will demand immediate payment or personal information over the phone under threat of arrest. Hang up. Call the agency directly using a number from their official website, not any number the caller provides. See Grammy’s Scamcabulary 101 for the full picture.