Financial Literacy Education Series · Session 3
Recognizing and Preventing Financial Fraud and Scams · Apex Learn × House of Friendship
One red flag: slow down. Two red flags: it is a scam. Use this page on any call, text, email, message or visitor.
| Red flag | What it sounds like | What is true |
|---|---|---|
| Urgency | “Act now.” “Today only.” “Your case will be cancelled in two hours.” “Do not hang up.” | Real organizations can wait until tomorrow. |
| Secrecy | “Don’t tell your family.” “Keep this between us.” “Don’t talk to anyone at the bank.” | Honest people never need you to be alone. |
| Unusual payment | Gift cards · crypto · wire transfer · cash by courier · a payment app to a stranger · “read me the code.” | No government or real company takes these. |
| Too good to be true | A prize you did not enter · a job with no interview · “guaranteed” returns · a stranger who loves you in a week. | Real prizes are free. Real jobs never charge. Real returns carry risk. |
1 · Stop
Hang up. Do not click. Do not reply. Do not pay. Nothing real is lost by waiting an hour. Scams only work when you hurry.
2 · Check
Call the number on your card. Type the official website yourself. Never use a number or link the message gave you — not even a “badge number” or “call-back line.”
3 · Talk
Tell one person before you send anything: family, a friend, House of Friendship staff. Scammers hate a second opinion — that is why they say “don’t tell anyone.”
Practice: count the flags
| Message | Flags (0–4) | Scam · Real · Check first |
|---|---|---|
| “Immigration. Pay $900 in gift cards within two hours or your case is cancelled. Don’t tell anyone.” | ||
| “You’re hired — no interview needed. Send $250 for the background check today.” | ||
| “Grandma, I’m in jail. Send $2,000 now. Please don’t tell Mom.” | ||
| A letter by mail from the tax office with a notice number, asking you to call. | ||
| Your bank’s app asks: “Did you spend $52 at a gas station? Yes / No.” |
Financial Literacy Education Series · Session 3
Fill it in, cut it out, keep it by the phone. Copy it for an elder in your family.
Before I pay anyone I did not plan to pay: Stop · Check · Talk
My bank’s phone number (from the back of my card):
My credit card’s phone number (from the card):
My lawyer or accredited representative:
The person I call before sending money:
Our family safe word:
Report a scam (free, any status)
If money already went: stop all contact → call the bank now → change passwords → report → tell someone. Never send “one more payment to get it back.”
My protection checklist — pick one this week
Protect my family
If a message was sent to fifty people, it is not advice for you.
Financial Literacy Education Series · Session 3
A fictional family. Work through it with your table.
Joseph and Maria have been in the U.S. for two years with their son Paolo, 16, and Maria’s mother, Rosa. Maria is waiting on an immigration case. Joseph is looking for a better job. Paolo has a phone and many group chats. In one week, three messages arrive.
| Day | The message | Flags (0–4) | What should they do first? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Maria’s call | “This is immigration. There is a problem with your case. Pay $900 in gift cards within two hours or it will be cancelled. Do not hang up. Do not tell anyone.” | ||
| Wednesday Joseph’s job | A text: “Warehouse supervisor, $28 an hour, start Monday. Send $250 for the background check today to hold your place.” No interview. | ||
| Friday Paolo’s mentor | In a chat group, a “mentor” shows screenshots: $200 became $2,000 in a week. “Guaranteed. Join today, only five spots.” Paolo has $300 saved. |
1 · Maria is on the phone right now. Which is the best first move, and why?
Why:
2 · What does each person lose by waiting one hour?
Maria:
Joseph:
Paolo:
Hint: the honest answer is usually “nothing.” That is the point.
3 · What should this family set up tonight so next week is easier?
Ideas: a family safe word · “call me before you pay anyone” · two-step verification · a talk with Paolo about guaranteed returns · the scam card by Rosa’s phone.