Could you spot a scam?
Six real-looking emails, texts, pop-ups and phone calls — can you tell the scams from the genuine? Instant, friendly explanations after every round.
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Also: Get Protected · Security Checklist
// GOOD QUESTIONS
Frequently asked
Who is the quiz for?
Everyone — but it’s especially helpful for older or less-confident users who are targeted most. It’s friendly, quick and there’s no sign-up.
Are the examples real scams?
They’re realistic, illustrative versions of the most common scams we see — phishing emails, smishing texts, pop-ups and phone scams — so you learn the tell-tale signs safely.
Can you protect us from scams for real?
Yes — our managed cybersecurity adds layered protection, email filtering and a real human to ask ‘is this safe?’ whenever you’re unsure.
How do I know it’s really 365 Techies, not a scammer?
Because we always phone you first to say we’re ready, and a remote session can only start when you open our support tool and read us the one-time code it shows. We never connect out of the blue, and we’d never ask for remote access through an unexpected pop-up or a cold call — that’s always a scam. A genuine session with us is one you already arranged and are expecting, and you watch everything on screen the whole time.
Someone called saying my computer has a virus — is it a scam?
Almost certainly, yes. Microsoft, BT, your bank and your broadband provider do not cold-call to say your computer has a virus — it’s one of the most common scams. Hang up, don’t give remote access or card details, and if you’re unsure ring us on a number you trust. Remember: we always phone you first and only ever connect to a session you arranged.
Do banks or Microsoft ever phone you about your computer?
No. Genuine banks and tech companies don’t ring out of the blue about ‘a problem with your computer’, ask you to install software, or tell you to move money ‘to keep it safe’. If someone does, it’s a scam — hang up, and never give remote access or move money on the say-so of an unexpected call.
How do I know if a virus warning pop-up is real or fake?
If a web page or pop-up shouts that you’re ‘infected’ and tells you to call a number or download a ‘fix’, it’s fake. Real antivirus warnings are quiet and never give you a phone number to ring. Close the browser or restart the computer — and don’t call the number. If you’re worried, we’ll check it for you.
Is this text about a missed parcel delivery a scam?
Usually, yes. ‘Missed delivery’ or ‘pay a small fee’ parcel texts with a link are a very common scam (known as smishing). Don’t tap the link or enter any details — check directly with the courier using their official app or website instead.
// FREE TOOLS
More free scam-busting tools
Keep going — the free online safety course and a few more quick checks. See all our free tools →
Free tool
Free Online Safety Course
Spot scam emails, texts & calls, use safe passwords and shop safely — a free, friendly 6-lesson course with a certificate.
Try it →Free tool
Link Safety Checker
Got a dodgy-looking link in a text or email? Paste it to spot the phishing signs — safely.
Try it →Free tool
Password Breach Checker
Has your password leaked? Check privately against over a billion leaked passwords.
Try it →Free tool
Privacy Checker
See exactly what any website can learn about you the moment you land on it.
Try it →Worried about scams?
We keep Dorset families and businesses safe online every day — with real protection and a friendly techie to ask.
01202 775566 · help@365techies.co.uk · MON–FRI 9AM–5PM
// HOW IT WORKS
How to take the Spot the Scam quiz
The Spot the Scam quiz is a free six-round test that shows you real-looking emails, texts, pop-ups and phone calls and asks you to judge each one, giving an instant plain-English explanation after every round so you learn the tell-tale signs of a scam.
What the six rounds cover (scams and genuine messages mixed together):
- A prize/voucher phishing email with a 'click here within 24 hours' link — scam.
- A 'Royal Mail' redelivery-fee text with a link — scam (smishing).
- A full-screen 'your PC is infected, call Microsoft' pop-up — scam (tech-support).
- An expected file shared by a known colleague on your real Microsoft 365 — genuine.
- A 'bank fraud team' call asking for your PIN and to move money to a 'safe account' — scam.
- A password-reset email that arrives right after you clicked 'forgot password' — genuine.
Score bands: 5–6 = 'Scam-savvy!' · 3–4 = 'Not bad — stay sharp' · 0–2 = 'Worth brushing up'.
Step by step
- Read each scenario — The quiz shows one realistic message or call per round — an email, text, pop-up or phone call.
- Make your call — Choose 'It's a scam' or 'Looks genuine' based on the warning signs you can see.
- Read the explanation — See instantly whether you were right and why, in plain English, before moving on.
- Finish all six rounds — Work through the six scenarios to get your final score out of six and a rating.
- Play again or get protected — Replay to sharpen your instincts, or follow the links to managed cybersecurity if you'd like real, layered protection.
Good to know
How many questions are in the Spot the Scam quiz?
There are six rounds, each showing a different realistic scam or genuine message — a phishing email, a smishing text, a tech-support pop-up, a bank phone scam and a couple of genuine examples — with an explanation after each.
What score means I'm good at spotting scams?
Score 5 or 6 out of 6 and you're rated 'Scam-savvy'; 3 or 4 is 'Not bad — stay sharp'; 0 to 2 means it's worth brushing up, because scams are getting cleverer all the time.
Is the Spot the Scam quiz free and does it need sign-up?
It's completely free with no sign-up, takes about two minutes, and is written in plain English — it's especially helpful for older or less-confident users, who scammers target most.