Fraud awareness workshops
A useful conversation
with people you care about.
Planning a conversation with neighbours, students or colleagues? Choose a 15 or 30 minute session with everyday scenarios, a warning film and practical questions about checking before paying.
For community events, classrooms, family conversations and staff training.
Prepare your session
Who are you talking to?
Choose an audience and length. The scenario and handout will adapt.
Suggested speaking time; video playback is additional.
Explore relevant scamsWork through a scenario
When does a refund text become a transfer?
A text offers a refund, then asks you to open a link, share your screen and send a payment to verify your account.
- 01
Treat an unexpected payment request during a refund as a warning.
- 02
End the contact and check the order in the retailer’s own app.
- 03
If you shared a code, secure your account from a trusted device.
Start verification through a channel you open yourself.
Watch together
After a scam,
watch for recovery fraud.
People posing as lawyers, officials or recovery services may ask for more money to unlock your funds. Watch together, then discuss which requests deserve an immediate pause.
“Guaranteed recovery” plus an upfront fee: how would you verify it?
Practise your judgement
What would you do?
Six everyday scenarios. Choose an answer to see why.
Your workshop handout
Take a handout with you.
The handout includes every lesson for your selected audience, quiz explanations and sources. Print it or save as PDF in your print dialog.
Jianwei · Fraud awareness handout
Communities · 15 minute session
Pause. Check. Speak up.
01 / Start the conversation · 2 min
Pause first. Decide second.
Scams can start with an ordinary message. Today’s practice is to make room for an independent check before paying or granting access.
- Think of the last unexpected request for money you received.
- Make it safe to ask for help. Avoid blaming victims.
- Practise one safe action you can take immediately.
Reference: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam
02 / Recognise the signals · 3 min
Four reasons to stop and check.
A warning sign is a reason to check. Several together are a reason to stop payments, clicks and disclosure.
- Borrowed trust: claiming to be a friend, bank or official.
- Urgency: threats of immediate penalties or arrest.
- Isolation: discouraging a callback or a second opinion.
- Unusual payment: a supposed safe account or gift-card demand.
Reference: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam
03 / Work through a scenario · 4 min
When does a refund text become a transfer?
A text offers a refund, then asks you to open a link, share your screen and send a payment to verify your account.
- Treat an unexpected payment request during a refund as a warning.
- End the contact and check the order in the retailer’s own app.
- If you shared a code, secure your account from a trusted device.
Reference: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams
04 / Respond promptly · 4 min
Already paid? Take these four steps.
Prompt action may limit losses. Recovery is never guaranteed. Do not make another payment to unlock or recover your money.
- Stop further payments and remote access.
- Contact your bank or payment provider about available recall or dispute options.
- Preserve original messages, links, account and transaction records; contact local police.
- Change exposed passwords from a trusted device and review access.
Reference: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
05 / Take it with you · 2 min
Pause. Check. Speak up.
Choose one action to practise today. Make checking a habit, then try the six scenario questions below.
- Save trusted bank and family contact details.
- Enable multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
- Agree with family or colleagues to check before paying.
Reference: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams
Scenario questions and explanations
1. A caller ID showing your bank proves the caller works for the bank.
False — Caller ID can be spoofed. Hang up and call the number on your card or in the bank’s official app.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam
2. An online job paid a small reward, so depositing money for later tasks is safe.
False — An initial payout is not proof. Stop when a job requires you to pay and independently check the employer.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams
3. A supplier’s emailed bank-detail change should be checked using the phone number already in your records.
True — A familiar mailbox can be compromised. Check independently and follow your organisation’s payment approval process.
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/scams-your-small-business-guide-business-0
4. A long online relationship makes it safe to invest on that person’s recommendation.
False — Trust can be cultivated over time. A relationship is not investment verification; do not send money or crypto to someone you have not met.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams
5. If someone guarantees recovery but demands an upfront unlocking fee, you should pay it.
False — This may be a recovery scam. Stop, check the service independently and contact your bank and local police. A recovery guarantee is a warning.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-cryptocurrency-recovery-fraud-investigation
6. After suspected fraud, contact your payment provider promptly and preserve original messages and transaction records.
True — Ask promptly about available options. Complete records help explain what happened; recall and recovery depend on the payment and circumstances.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
Film discussion
Impersonation and recovery fraud: when a recovery guarantee requires an upfront payment, which independent channels would you use to check?
https://substore.resourcemap.net/lvshiercizhapian.mp4