Computer Science
Grade 4
20 min
Recognizing Scams
Recognizing Scams
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify at least three common signs of an online scam.
Define the terms 'scam', 'phishing', and 'personal information'.
Apply a simple algorithm (a set of steps) to check if a message is suspicious.
Explain why it is dangerous to click on links in scam messages.
Describe the correct action to take when they see a potential scam: Stop, Think, and Ask a trusted adult.
Recognize that scammers often use variables like names or game usernames to make messages seem real.
Have you ever seen a message online that says 'YOU WON A FREE PRIZE!'? 🏆 Let's figure out if it's real or a trick!
In this lesson, we will learn how to be detectives and spot online tricks called scams. We will use computer science thinking,...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
ScamA trick used by someone online to steal your personal information, passwords, or money.A pop-up ad that says you won a free gaming computer, but asks for your parents' credit card number to pay for shipping.
PhishingA type of scam where someone pretends to be a person or company you trust to trick you into giving them your password or other private info.An email that looks like it's from your favorite game, 'Roblox', asking you to log in on a fake website to get free Robux.
Personal InformationFacts about you that should be kept private, like your full name, address, phone number, school name, and passwords.Your password for your school computer account is personal information.
Urgent LanguageWords that try to make you act quickly without thin...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
The Scam-Check Algorithm
1. STOP: Don't click anything.
2. LOOK: Check for scam signs (urgency, bad spelling, too good to be true).
3. ASK: Show the message to a trusted adult before doing anything.
Use this three-step algorithm whenever you see a message or offer online that seems suspicious or makes you feel a strong emotion like excitement or fear.
The 'Too Good to Be True' Rule
IF (offer == 'amazing free prize') AND (it asks for personal_info) THEN (it is probably a scam).
This is a simple 'if-then' pattern. If something online seems too amazing to be real, like winning a contest you never entered, it's almost always a trick.
The Personal Information Rule
NEVER give out variables like your_password, your_address, or your_fu...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A scammer creates a fake login page for a game. The URL is `www.robl0x.com` instead of `www.roblox.com`. This trick works because our brains often see what we expect to see. What is the best 'debugging' step for your brain to catch this error?
A.Type your password faster so the scammer can't steal it
B.Slow down and carefully read the URL character by character
C.Ask a friend if the website looks right
D.Clear your computer's memory (cache)
Challenging
Imagine you are coding a function called `isScam(message)`. Which check inside this function would be the MOST reliable for returning `true` (meaning the message is a scam)?
A.IF message.contains('!')
B.IF message.isFromFriend()
C.IF message.asksFor('password')
D.IF message.containsLink()
Challenging
A new, free photo-sharing app requires your full name, birthday, and school to sign up. How might this 'free' app be using your private 'variables' in a way that is similar to a scam?
A.It needs the information to make sure you are a real person
B.It helps the app recommend friends for you from your school
C.It is required by law for all new apps
D.It might sell your combined personal information to advertisers
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