“Don’t Trust That Link” — A Short Story
Becca was having one of those mornings.
Half her toast was burnt, her tea had gone cold, and her toddler was turning the living room into a war zone with building blocks. Somewhere between wiping hands and packing lunch, she picked up her phone to check her emails.
“Your recent bank payment was declined. Please verify your details here.”
The logo looked real. The email felt urgent. And with one hand still drying from the dishes, she clicked the link.
But something didn’t feel right.
The page looked almost like her bank’s. But the website address had strange letters. And the wording? Off. Like it had been translated twice.
Her gut whispered: “This isn’t real.”
So she closed it. No login. No details. Just out.
She called the bank directly, turns out, there was no payment issue.
Just a scam.
So What Saved Her?
A small pause.
That quiet, uncomfortable feeling we get when something’s off.
Scammers rely on panic. They know you’re busy. Distracted. That you won’t check too closely when the message sounds urgent.
But here’s the truth:
Urgency is their weapon. Awareness is yours.
Before You Click Any Link:
- Pause.
- Check the email sender, is it a real address?
- Hover over the link, does it match what you expect?
- Still not sure? Ask someone or go straight to the official website yourself.
Final Thought
Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do online is… nothing.
Take that pause.
Ask a question.
Trust your gut. Not the link.
From MarimSecurity Nugget Tit bits, Stay Safe
