scam

Everyday

1. A scam is a dishonest trick to get money or personal information from people. tree →
2. To scam someone is to cheat them with such a trick. tree →

In the lessons

In online safety lessons: scams can be fake messages, prize wins, «free» game currency, emails pretending to be from a bank or a friend; never share passwords, codes or addresses, never click strange links, and always tell a trusted adult. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Phrases: online scam, phone scam, scammer, a scam message.

Examples

• That email saying I won a phone is a scam. tree →
• Do not click the link; it might be a scam. tree →
• A scammer tried to trick Grandma on the phone. tree →
• Free game coins for your password? That is a scam. tree →
• He was scammed out of his pocket money. tree →
• Tell an adult if you think it is a scam. tree →
• Real companies never ask for your password. tree →
• If it seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam. tree →

Note

Countable. Past: scammed (double m). A person who scams is a scammer. A scam is a kind of lie for money; being tricked by one is not your fault, but tell someone quickly.