If you get a message (text, email or call), it's best to not trust the contents of the message until you verify it by logging in or whatever yourself. If crates.io says you have a problem, close the email and go to crates.io yourself. If your bank calls you, hang up and log in or call their support number yourself. Don't trust anyone contacting you for sensitive stuff

> If your bank calls you, hang up and log in or call their support number yourself.

And don't trust the number you see on Google. Google is known to show scammers' phone numbers in featured snippets or in their new "AI Mode". Click on the link and make sure it's the correct site before trusting the number.

Always good advice for anything. A variation of this is that you should also not answer the negative: that you definitely did not do something, if someone asks you that on a phone call. This is meant to spread harm to others.

I was speaking to a pharmacist yesterday. Apparently certain pharmacy insurance companies in the US have set up call centers that randomly call people and ask.

"We are from the fraud check department. Did you ask for receiving XYZ medication that your insurance paid $$$$$$ for?". The guy who does who's salary is an order of magnitude smaller, immediately panics and denies he ever asked for XYZ, even though they are obviously taking the medication. The purpose is of-course for pharmacy insurance companies to challenge/deny claims for on ALL XYZ orders the pharmacy made.

Of course checking insurance payouts is a hassle so most people reach for panic first and shortly thereafter denial.

Definitely. I get scammers calling me from a caller id that claims to be my bank asking about suspicious charges, and they know my name and have my account info, but they ask for my full credit card number to "verify" it. Yet, they give different suspicious charges every time you ask.

The worst part is that when I call the bank to see if its legit, they are much less pleasant to deal with than the scammers...

Same applies in person. I’ve had people knocking on my door offering a discount on my electric bill.

— You just need to do accept <whatever, I forget> and you’ll pay less.

— But I don’t want to switch providers, I’m happy with the current one.

— Oh no, you’ll stay with the same provider, we’re with them, that doesn’t change.

— Alright, then I’ll call the company to discuss this further and get the discount.

— Unfortunately, this is only valid this way. Not by calling or online.

— Then I’m not interested. Bye.

One of my neighbours was tricked at a different time by a similar scam, forcing them into a contract with a different company.

>> Don't trust anyone contacting you for sensitive stuff

For not sensitive either. If something is a good deal - they will not be calling me, it's me who should call to find and get the best deal.

The spammy calls I've gotten lately are for "tax help from the IRS" ... I really feel there's a special place in hell for people that do that.

Sage advice