Spot a Phishing Message Before You Tap

Phishing messages are designed to make you act before you think. A fake delivery notice, a bank alert, a too-good prize, all built around urgency and a single careless tap. A few simple habits make them far easier to catch.

What to look for

Be suspicious of any message that pressures you to act immediately, asks for passwords or one-time codes, or links to a site that is not quite the real address. Banks and delivery firms do not ask for sensitive details over a text link.

Check the sender and the link carefully. Scam addresses often look almost right, with a small misspelling or an odd domain. When in doubt, do not tap. Go to the official app or website directly instead.

Slow down to stay safe

The single best defense is to pause. Urgency is the scammer's main tool, and refusing to be rushed defeats most attempts. If a message creates panic, that is the moment to stop, not to tap.