Phishmael & Friendswork scams
Urgent Request from the CEO
While the real Barry is unreachable on the golf course, 'Barry' texts the office from a new number demanding secret gift cards. Two stories collide until Octavia calls the real Barry. Tank's coach gets the same treatment.
Today's rule: Urgent and secret? Check first.
What kids learn
- Check with a call to a number you already know
- Urgent + secret + gift cards = scam
- Report it, even if you didn't fall for it
Quiz time
Can you get them all?
Your boss texts from a new number asking for gift cards, urgently and secretly. What do you do?
Which is the biggest red flag?
For parents & teachers
Talk about it together
- Explain that real bosses, teachers and coaches don't ask for secret gift cards.
- Teach the habit: check by calling a number you already have, or ask in person.
- Treat 'urgent', 'secret' and 'new number' as red flags, especially together.
- At work, follow your organisation's payment checks and report suspicious messages.
Read more
The Boss Scam: Gift Cards, New Numbers and Secrets
CEO fraud is when a scammer pretends to be a boss, a teacher or a coach and asks for money, gift cards or an urgent payment.
Read the full guide →
