Oct 9, 2025 | posted by Reliance Connects
Online scams are not just a problem for big cities or businesses. They can happen to anyone, anywhere. As part of the Smart Rural Community Senior Safety Series, we’re sharing helpful information to keep everyone in our community safer online.
Phishing (and its text-message version called smishing) is one of the most common ways scammers try to steal personal or financial information. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can help you stop a scam before it starts.
💸 Common Types of Scams
According to the Smart Rural Community series, senior investment fraud is the most common scam, totaling more than $1.2 billion each year. Other common types include:
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Tech support scams
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Business email compromise scams
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Confidence and romance scams
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Government impersonation scams
If a scam arrives by text, it is called smishing (for SMS). A common example is a message claiming there was a fraudulent charge on your bank account and asking you to click a link to confirm. Once you click or call, the scam begins.
🔍 How to Spot Phishing Attempts
Before you click or reply, take a closer look:
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Check the sender. Make sure the email address or phone number makes sense. For example, Medicare messages should end in .gov, not @gmail.com.
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Inspect links. Hover your mouse (or long-press on your phone) to preview the address. If it looks odd or has strange characters, don’t click.
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Watch for red flags.
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Urgent or threatening language (“Act now!” “Your account will be suspended!”)
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Poor grammar or awkward phrasing
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Unexpected attachments or files
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Direct requests for passwords or personal information
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🧰 Tools and Best Practices for Protection
Keep your defenses strong with a few simple habits:
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Install and regularly update antivirus protection
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Enable spam filters in your email
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Always verify independently. If the message claims to be your bank, call the official number on your card or website
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Report spam by marking messages as junk or forwarding suspicious texts to 7726
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Save legitimate contacts, such as your bank, in your phone so you can easily tell real texts from fake ones
🔎 Test Yourself
Want to see how well you can spot phishing? Try Google’s free interactive quiz here:
👉 https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com
💡 Final Tips
Make it a habit to check your online accounts at least once a month. Review your transactions, update your passwords if needed, and set up alerts for unusual activity.
With a few smart habits, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from phishing scams.
Watch the full Smart Rural Community Senior Safety Series: Understanding Phishing and How to Stop It video below to learn more.
