Common text and phone scams, explained

The scams below are the ones hitting families right now. Each guide shows the actual words the scammer uses, why it works, and exactly what to do — in plain language, free, with nothing to install.

• Someone called saying they're your grandchild. Here's how to know.

  The caller sounds exactly like your grandchild. Why that no longer proves anything — and the two-minute fix.

• Make a family safe word (free, printable, nothing sent anywhere)

  A word only your family knows: the one defence against a cloned voice. Free, printable, nothing sent anywhere.

• "Your package is on hold" — is this delivery text real?

  “Your package is on hold.” The fake USPS, UPS and Amazon fee text, and the three tells.

• The unpaid toll text scam — what it is and what to do

  The E-ZPass, FasTrak and SunPass toll texts are almost all fake. Why it spread, and how to tell.

• Is my bank really texting me?

  “Is my bank really texting me?” The script, why it fools careful people, and the one rule that beats it.