The scams going around, in plain English

What each scam looks like, the red flags, what to tell your parent, and a checklist for if someone already clicked.

• ?Is that video real? AI fakes, fake ads, and how to checkIf a video shows a famous face, a miracle product or a deal that's hard to believe, assume it might be AI-made until you've checked somewhere else. The…
• Is the 'your bank account is locked' text a scam?Treat it as one until you've checked. A surprise text or call saying your bank account is locked, or asking you to reply YES/NO about a charge and then…
• Is the 'grandkid in trouble' call a scam?If a call or text says a grandchild is in trouble and needs money fast, especially if they ask you to keep it secret, treat it as a scam until you've…
• Is the 'package redelivery fee' text a scam?Almost certainly. A surprise text saying a package couldn't be delivered and asking for a small fee through a link is a scam, and fake package-delivery…
• ?'Update your account' messages: which are real, and the password notebook questionSometimes it's real, and that's what makes it tricky. The safe move is the same either way: never update anything from a link in a surprise message, and…
• ?Protecting a parent from scams after a lossWhen someone dies, their spouse can start getting calls, letters and texts from people pretending to be a funeral home, a debt collector or an official. A…
• Is the 'your computer is infected, call this number' pop-up a scam?Yes. A pop-up or message that says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number is a scam, every time. The FTC puts it plainly: "Real security…
• Is the unpaid toll text a scam?Almost always, yes. A surprise text that says you owe a toll and links to a payment page is the classic version of this scam, and the FTC says scammers…