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Course Outline: Scam Prevention

Course Outline: Scam Prevention

Session 1: Why This Conversation Is Worth Having

Have a plan to evaluate everything for potential scam indicators

Takeaway: Knowing what to look for

Materials: Welcome handout with a short list of potential scam indicators and index cards for anonymous questions participants can drop in a box throughout the course

Session 2: The Common Ones You Might Already Have Seen

Texts about missed deliveries or unpaid bills

Calls claiming to be from your bank, a government office, or a utility company

Messages from accounts that look like a friend's but aren't quite right

Online offers that sound too good to be true, and usually are

Takeaway: Most scams share a few familiar patterns once you know them

Materials: Printed examples of real (anonymized) messages for group discussion; a simple "have you seen this?" checklist card participants keep

Session 3: The Simple Signals Worth Noticing

Urgency: pressure to act right now is the most common tell

Unusual payment requests: gift cards, wire transfers, crypto

Secrecy: being told not to tell anyone else

Something just seems off, and that instinct is worth trusting

Takeaway: You never have to decide immediately. Pausing is always allowed

Materials: One-page "Pause Checklist" wallet card; short video clips of example calls and texts with a guided, low-pressure walkthrough

Session 4: Easy Habits That Do Most of the Work

Letting unknown callers go to voicemail, genuinely fine to do

Typing in website addresses yourself instead of clicking links

Using an app-based verification code when offered

Freezing your credit if you'd like extra peace of mind

Agreeing on a simple family "check first" habit or code word

Takeaway: A handful of small habits cover most situations

Materials: Step-by-step illustrated guide for each habit; optional sign-up sheet for a follow-along email series with weekly tips

Session 5: Looking Out for Each Other

Many of us worry about a family member or friend

How to raise the subject 

Keeping the door open so someone is comfortable asking for help

Takeaway: Kindness and good communication are protection tools too

Materials: Conversation starter cards with suggested phrasing; short discussion prompts

Session 6: If Something Does Happen

What to do in the first hour: contact your bank or card company, change passwords

Where to report: Canada Anti-Fraud Centre, RCMP, OPP, Ministry of the Attorney General, FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, IC3 (FBI), state attorney general, and platform abuse tools

Watch out for follow-up "recovery" offers, they're often a second attempt

Talking to someone helps more than handling it alone

Takeaway: There's a clear path forward

Materials: Fill-in-the-blank action card with space for bank phone numbers; local reporting resources list tailored to your area

Submit contact form through https://jmjtrainingandeducationgroup.wordpress.com/ for more information about this course

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