The call that says a grandchild is in trouble, and the sentence that checks it.
A free program on your phone can read a text message, or what a caller said, and say whether it looks like a scam. Here are the five steps, and the exact words to type.
The moment you feel rushed is the moment to slow down.
The phone rings. Someone says a family member needs money, now. Or a text says a package is waiting. Or a warning on the screen gives a number to call.
Nothing here needs answering in the next five minutes. Whatever arrived, someone else has had the same one.
The people who run scams are good at it. Being caught is not being foolish.
A second pair of eyes, on your phone.
ChatGPT, say it "chat G-P-T", is a program that answers questions. It has a free version. You need a free account: an email and a password, no card. A company called OpenAI makes it. Not us.
You put the words of the message into it. The book shows how, one tap at a time. It tells you what the message looks like. Then you check for yourself.
These are real ChatGPT screens.
The five steps, on one page.
- Touch nothing in the messageNo links. No numbers. Not yet.
- Copy it, or photograph itPress and hold a text, then Copy.
- Paste it in and askUse one of the sentences below.
- Believe it if it says scamAnd treat unsure as scam too.
- Check with a number you ownYour card. Your bill. Never theirs.
Two of the nine sentences.
“Someone telephoned saying a family member needs money urgently. Here is what they said. Is this a scam, and what do I do now?”
“I received this message and I am not sure it is genuine. Does it look like a scam, what are the warning signs, and what should I do?”
You type them word for word. Type slowly. A small mistake is fine.
What ChatGPT cannot do.
It can be wrong. If it says scam, believe it. If it says the message is fine, still check, by calling the number on your own card or bill. Never the caller's number.
If money has already moved, call your bank today. Then ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In an emergency, call 911.
Where the sentences came from.
They are two of 50 sentences in a 49-page book called AI Basics for Seniors. Nine are for scams. The rest are for bills, letters, forms, the doctor, benefits, and the family.
Every page is large print. One idea per line. The book shows the screens for getting ChatGPT on your phone, iPhone and Android.
Here is what it costs, and the promise that comes with it.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT AN ACTUAL NEWS ARTICLE, BLOG, OR CONSUMER PROTECTION UPDATE. Published by Senior Cyber School, the seller of the book described. Price and refund terms are stated on this page.
