Scammers often gather personal details from public records, data breaches, or social media. Just because a caller knows your name or your bank details, that doesn’t make them legitimate — they may only need one more piece of sensitive information to lock you out of your account.

Not always. Instead of clicking a link, go directly to the company’s website or app. And if you do click a link, always double check the details — make sure the sender’s email address and the destination URL don’t contain misspellings and that they line up with the organization you think the email is from.

That “urgency” is meant to stop you from thinking clearly. When we feel pressured or like there’s an emergency, our emotions can hijack our logical thinking. Legitimate businesses will never have a problem with you hanging up and calling back later — if the caller tries to force you to stay on the line, it’s likely a scam.

Yes. If a friend, coworker, or vendor’s account is compromised, scammers may use their information to impersonate them. Always verify unexpected requests, even from familiar names, by reaching out to the person at a number you trust.

They can be. Scammers often ask for payment through an app, a wire transfers, or in cryptocurrency — those types of transactions are harder to stop or reverse. If someone insists on using one of these methods, it’s a serious red flag.

Fake invoices and unexpected changes in payment method or in payroll are common signs of fraud. Scammers may pose as vendors and ask you to update your account details or claim that you have an overdue invoice. Always confirm changes with a trusted contact.

The safest thing to do is always to stop what you’re doing and step away. Hang up the phone, close the email, don’t respond to the text message. Call your bank or stop by a local branch. A quick check can stop a major problem before it starts.