Stay Curious. Stay Safe.
The Internet's Wonderful.Let's Keep It That Way.
Simple, friendly advice to help you spot scams, protect yourself and enjoy technology with confidence.
Let's face it. The internet is an amazing place.
We can talk to family on the other side of the world, discover new hobbies, learn almost anything and even get artificial intelligence to write a poem about the dog.
But every now and again, something pops into our inbox that makes us stop and think. Is that message genuine? Should I click that button? And why does a complete stranger suddenly want to give me £14 million?
That's where we come in.
We'll help you recognise the warning signs, avoid common tricks and feel more confident online.
No scare stories. No complicated explanations. Just useful advice and a few laughs along the way.
No technical experience needed. Just a healthy dose of curiosity.
A habit worth having
Before You Click, Take Five.
Scammers are very good at making things feel urgent. They want you to react before you have time to think.
So here's a simple habit worth developing.
- 1
STOP
Don't click, reply, pay or share information just because a message tells you to act immediately.
- 2
CHECK
Look carefully at the sender, the request and the website or organisation involved. Remember that sender addresses and displayed names can sometimes be spoofed.
- 3
VERIFY
Open the organisation's official website or app independently, or contact it using details you already trust. Don't rely on the telephone number or website link supplied in a suspicious message.
"Urgency is a favourite trick of scammers. Your bank account isn't going to get upset because you took a minute to check."
A message isn't necessarily genuine just because it appears to come from a familiar contact or email address.
The main event
Scam or Genuine? Let's Find Out!
Five everyday situations. Five chances to practise spotting the warning signs.
Fancy testing your detective skills? Read each example and decide what you'd do.
Don't worry about getting everything right. The whole point is learning.
And no, Lillie isn't allowed to help. She's too easily bribed with biscuits.
0 of 5 scenarios answered
- 1
The security warning
The message
"Urgent security alert! Someone has created a new access token on your ChatGPT account. Click REVOKE ACCESS immediately or your conversations may be exposed."
From: ChatGPT Support <security@chatgpt-alert.example>
- 2
The delivery text
The message
"Your parcel cannot be delivered until you pay a £1.95 redelivery fee. Update your details now."
- 3
The friend who needs money
The message
"Hi, it's me. I've changed my number and need you to send £200 urgently. I'll explain later."
- 4
The amazing AI opportunity
The message
"Earn £5,000 every month using AI! No experience, no effort, no risk. Guaranteed results!"
- 5
The call from your bank
The message
"Someone calls claiming to be from your bank. They sound professional and know your name. They say your account is at risk and ask you to move your money into a special safe account."
Know the classics
Six Scams Worth Knowing About
The technology changes. The tricks are often surprisingly familiar.
Fake Security Alerts
What it looks like: Messages pretending to come from well-known companies, warning that your account has been compromised.
Warning signs:
- An urgent threat to your account or data
- A big button to click right away
- A sender address that isn't quite right
Safest first action: Open the company's official site yourself and check.
Delivery and Shopping Scams
What it looks like: Fake parcel messages, misleading shops and requests for unexpected payments.
Warning signs:
- A small fee for a parcel you weren't expecting
- Links to update details you've never given them
- Slightly odd shop names or prices
Safest first action: Check your order in the retailer's own account or app.
Impersonation Scams
What it looks like: Criminals pretending to be family members, friends, businesses or authorities.
Warning signs:
- "I've changed my number"
- An urgent request for money or gift cards
- They won't phone or video call
Safest first action: Contact the person through a number or channel you already trust.
Investment and AI Income Scams
What it looks like: Promises of guaranteed profits, effortless income or secret money-making systems.
Warning signs:
- Guaranteed returns
- Pressure to pay or invest quickly
- A celebrity endorsement that's easy to fake
Safest first action: Pause, walk away and get independent advice before paying anything.
Fake Technical Support
What it looks like: Unsolicited messages or calls claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access or payment.
Warning signs:
- A pop-up with a phone number and a warning
- Someone offering to "fix" your computer
- Requests for remote access or payment
Safest first action: Close it and restart your device — never let a cold caller in.
AI-Generated Impersonation
What it looks like: Scammers using synthetic voices, altered photographs or convincing videos to imitate real people.
Warning signs:
- A familiar voice making an unusual request
- A request for money or secrets by voice
- A video where something feels just slightly off
Safest first action: Hang up and ring the person back on the number you know.
Not every message of these types is a scam. That's exactly why the five-second pause is so useful.
From my own inbox
A Suspicious Email That Landed in My Inbox
Even people who work with technology get targeted.
I'm Phil, and I recently received an email that appeared to come from the "ChatGPT Security Team".
It claimed that someone in New York had created an API token giving them access to my conversations and photos. It looked professional, used security language and included a large green button urging me to revoke access.
But something didn't add up. The sender's address wasn't from an official OpenAI domain.
So rather than clicking the button, I treated the message as suspicious and avoided the link.
It was a useful reminder that professional-looking emails aren't necessarily genuine. And just because a message contains a familiar company name or logo doesn't mean it's safe.
"Scammers don't always need clever technology. Sometimes they just need you to panic for five seconds."
Keep it handy
Seven Little Habits That Make a Big Difference
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Turn on two-factor or multi-factor authentication where available.
- Keep devices and apps updated.
- Be cautious with unexpected links and attachments.
- Check important requests independently.
- Protect sensitive personal and financial information.
- Stop and get advice if something feels suspicious.
"You don't have to become a cybersecurity expert. A few good habits go a very long way."
No panic needed
Clicked Something Suspicious? Here's What to Do.
First things first: don't panic.
Even careful people can be caught out. What you do next depends on what happened.
If You Only Opened a Suspicious Message
- Avoid further interaction, don't download attachments and report or delete the message.
- Opening a message alone does not necessarily mean your account has been compromised.
If You Entered a Password
- Go directly to the real service, change the affected password and enable multi-factor authentication where available.
- If the same password was used elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
- Review recent account activity and contact the service's support team if needed.
If You Shared Bank Details or Sent Money
- Contact your bank immediately using its official contact details.
- Explain what happened and follow its fraud team's advice.
If You Installed Software or Allowed Remote Access
- Disconnect the device from the internet where appropriate, stop interacting with the suspected scammer and seek help from a trusted IT professional or official support service.
- Use a separate trusted device for sensitive account changes if you suspect the original device is compromised.
Keep the evidence. Don't delete messages or receipts in a rush — they can help you and the authorities. When you're ready, report it to your local cybercrime or fraud reporting service; the relevant one for your country is listed below.
None of these steps on its own guarantees you're completely safe, so take them one at a time and ask for help where you need it.
Official sources
Need a Hand? Here Are Some Good Places to Start.
These are independent organisations. Life Begins At Sixty isn't affiliated with any of them — we simply think they're worth knowing about.
United Kingdom
Reporting routes vary by country and jurisdiction. If yours isn't listed, your local police force or consumer protection agency is usually a good place to start.
Keep learning
A Little More Knowledge. A Lot More Confidence.
Tutorial
How to Spot a Suspicious AI Email
Calm, practical steps for recognising emails that impersonate AI companies and tech services — and exactly what to do instead of clicking.
Read the tutorialLearning Library
Explore Our Free Learning Library
Free, plain-English tutorials on ChatGPT, everyday AI, creative projects, online safety and more — all at your own pace.
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One last thing
A Final Word From Me (And Lillie)
I love technology. I love discovering new things. And I'm genuinely excited about what artificial intelligence can do for people of all ages.
But there's one thing I believe very strongly.
Nobody should feel frightened, embarrassed or left behind simply because technology is changing.
That's why I've created this little corner of Life Begins At Sixty. To help people enjoy the benefits, understand the risks and make their own informed decisions.
And if you're ever unsure about something online, remember — it's absolutely fine to stop, ask questions and check.
There's no prize for being the fastest person to click a suspicious link.
Although Lillie might disagree if biscuits are involved.
Cheers, Phil & Lillie
A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way.
You've learned how to recognise common warning signs, protect your information and respond to suspicious messages.
Now keep exploring. There's a wonderful world of technology out there, and we want you to enjoy it confidently.
Stay curious. Stay safe. And never let a suspicious email spoil a perfectly good cup of tea.