Free guide

The 60-Second Scam Check

Got a strange text, email or pop-up? Run it through these four questions before you click, call or pay anything. I put this together so you can do it yourself, with no tech background needed.

Last reviewed November 2026

Four red flags. Any one means stop.

You don’t need to spot every trick. If you see even one of these, pause and keep reading.

Unexpected contact

A call, text, email or pop-up you didn’t ask for.

Pretending

They say they’re Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, your bank, the government, or someone you know.

Pressure

Anything raising your sense of urgency: “Act now.” “Your account is frozen.” “Don’t tell anyone.”

Strange payment

Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or payment apps. Anyone who asks for these is a scammer.

The pause rule

A scammer’s main goal is to trigger your sense of urgency, so that you take the action they want. Slowing down is how you beat them. Hang up. Close the message. Then look up the real phone number yourself, from the back of your card or a paper statement. Never use the number in the message, on the pop-up, or on your caller ID, because those can be faked.

Updated November 2026

Going around right now

Three scams that keep showing up, and the one thing to do for each.

Computer pop-ups

“Your computer is infected. Call now.”

Real security warnings never tell you to call a phone number. Legitimate tech companies also don’t make first contact by phone, text or email.

Do this: Close the window. If it won’t close, restart the computer. Never let anyone who contacted you first take control of your computer.
Amazon

A problem order, a surprise refund or a “recall”

The text or email links to a lookalike page, or gives a number for fake “support.” Those agents often ask you to install software or hand over a code.

Do this: Don’t tap the link or call the number. Open the Amazon app yourself and check Your Orders.
Party invitations

A surprise “You’re invited!”

It looks like Evite or Paperless Post and may even name a friend as host. Then it asks for your email password, or for your phone number and a code, just to see the invite.

Do this: Don’t click. Text or call the host to ask if it’s real. A real invitation never needs your email password.

Already typed your password into an invite? Change it now and turn on two-factor authentication for that account.

If you already clicked or paid

It happens to careful people. Move quickly and calmly.

  1. Stop all contact. Don’t send anything more.
  2. Call your bank or credit card company right away.
  3. Change the passwords for your bank and your email.
  4. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.
  5. For anything else you may have shared, see the steps at IdentityTheft.gov.

Suspicious text? Forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Suspicious email? Forward it to reportphishing@apwg.org.

Not sure? Show me.

Send me a screenshot of the text, email or pop-up. I’ll tell you whether it’s real, and there’s no charge for a quick look. I’m a one-person business in the East Bay, and I don’t cold-call or text anyone.

So I can tell if it’s real, include this

  • Text message: screenshot the whole conversation, with the number or name at the top showing.
  • Email: forward it to me, or screenshot it with the “From” address showing. Don’t click any links or open any attachments.
  • Pop-up: screenshot the whole window. Don’t call the number on it.

Or email me directly at chris@techsupportwithchris.com

→ Prefer paper? Download the printable version (PDF)

Want the longer story on fake invitations? → Don’t RSVP to That Hack

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