🔹 Slide 1: Cover
Title:đźš©10 Red Flags That Instantly Reveal a Scam Message
Subtitle:
Learn to spot them before it’s too late.
🔹 Slide 2: Real Story – Mei Ling’s Costly Click
Mei Ling, 34, got a message:
“SingPost: Your parcel is pending. Click here to reschedule delivery.”
She had been expecting a package. Without thinking, she clicked the link and entered her credit card info.
Minutes later, her bank alerted her to a $1,200 overseas charge.
“I thought I was just fixing a delivery,” she said.
“But I walked right into a trap.”
🔹 Slide 3: Why Red Flags Save Lives (and Wallets)
Scams are now designed to look real. Some mimic actual government messages, bank alerts, or even use your friends’ names.
But there’s always a “tell.”
A subtle red flag. A sentence that feels off.
And if you spot it, you save yourself.
Let’s break down the 10 red flags every scam message has.
🔹 Slide 4: Red Flag #1 – 🚨 High Pressure or Urgency
“Act now or your account will be closed.”
“Click before 11:59PM to avoid charges!”
Scammers want you panicked. Rushing makes you skip thinking.
✅ What to do: Pause. Breathe. Real institutions don’t threaten you with deadlines via SMS or DM.
🔹 Slide 5: Red Flag #2 – 🤖 Generic Greetings
“Dear user…”
“Hello customer…”
If it’s from your bank or Singpass, shouldn’t they know your name?
âś… What to do: Watch for impersonal greetings. Real companies usually address you by full name.
🔹 Slide 6: Red Flag #3 – 🧩 Poor Grammar or Typos
“Your acount has been tempararily desabled.”
Even if the logo looks real, bad English = big red flag.
✅ What to do: Read closely. If it reads oddly, it’s likely a scam.
🔹 Slide 7: Red Flag #4 – 🧠Unfamiliar or Weird Links
www.singpost.delivery-update.online
www.dbs-verification-login.co
Scammers use lookalike domains.
âś… What to do:
- Don’t click.
- Google the company’s official site and go from there.
- Hover over links (or long-press on mobile) to preview URLs.
🔹 Slide 8: Red Flag #5 – 🧾 Asking for Personal Info
“Please send your NRIC, card number, and OTP.”
“Upload your passport to confirm delivery.”
No legit company asks for personal or financial info via messaging apps.
âś… What to do: Block, report, and never reply.
🔹 Slide 9: Red Flag #6 – 💸 Upfront Payments or Deposits
“Win an iPhone—just pay $2 for shipping!”
“Unlock your job access with a $50 deposit.”
If you have to pay to get paid, it’s a scam.
✅ What to do: Walk away. Prizes and jobs don’t require fees.
🔹 Slide 10: Red Flag #7 – 👤 Impersonation of Authority
Scammers pretend to be:
- Police
- Bank officials
- Government agents
- Delivery companies
And they’ll even use profile photos or logos to appear legit.
âś… What to do: Call the organization directly using official numbers. Never rely on numbers inside the message.
🔹 Slide 11: Red Flag #8 – 🔄 OTP Requests
“We sent you an OTP by mistake. Can you send it to us?”
NEVER share your OTP with anyone. Even if the message is from someone you know.
âś… What to do: Keep your OTPs private. Not even banks will ask you for them over chat.
🔹 Slide 12: Red Flag #9 – 🧑‍💻 Too Good to Be True Offers
“Earn $500/day just working from your phone.”
“You’ve won $10,000—no strings attached.”
If it sounds unbelievable, that’s because it is.
✅ What to do: Research first. Real opportunities don’t look like spam.
🔹 Slide 13: Red Flag #10 – 🕵️ They Avoid Verification
Scammers don’t like being questioned.
If you ask for ID or credentials, they might:
- Change the subject
- Get aggressive
- Pressure you more
✅ What to do: Ask questions. Real agents won’t hesitate to prove their identity.
🔹 Slide 14: Know the Red Flags. Trust Your Instincts.
You don’t need to be a tech genius.
Just ask:
- Is this too urgent?
- Too generous?
- Too weird?
If yes… ❌ Don’t click. Don’t reply. Don’t pay.
🔹 Slide 15: Coming Up Tomorrow…
🧠Week 1, Day 3:
Types of Scams You’ll See Across SMS, WhatsApp, Email, and WeChat
Know what you're up against, and how each one works.
Save this post. Share it. Help someone dodge their next scam.
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