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Practical habits

Pause.Verify.Report.

Scams count on a rushed click. A short pause gives you time to notice what is off. Pause, check another way, then tell your school.

  • 2-minute lesson
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  1. 1Why it matters

    An ordinary interruption

    You receive a message saying a classroom supply delivery is held until you scan a QR code and sign in. The logo looks familiar and the sender knows the school name. Those details do not establish who sent it. A QR code is simply another way to open a link; the destination may not be visible until your device previews it. Stop before entering a password, payment information or a verification code.

    Verify through a separate path

    Open the service from a saved bookmark or type its known address instead of using the message's link. For an unusual request from a colleague, use the directory phone number or an established conversation. Do not call a number supplied only in the suspicious message. If you cannot verify an urgent request, contact the district's designated support team. Hover previews and spelling clues help, but a convincing appearance is not proof of safety.

  2. 2Do this

    • Pause

      Surprise, urgency or secrecy? Stop before you click, reply, pay or open.

    • Verify

      Use a known route: the number or app you already have, never the one in the message.

    • Report

      Tell your school channel right away. One report can protect the whole district.

    Red flags
    • “Urgent — today”
    • New bank details
    • Gift cards
    • Sign-in codes
    • Odd attachments

    Already clicked? Report it anyway. Speed matters more than embarrassment, and nobody gets in trouble for asking.

  3. 3Quick check

    What does a familiar logo beside a QR code establish?
    A request says normal verification must be skipped. What is the safest response?

    Choose an answer for each question.

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Full course: Pause before the link: messages, QR codes and urgent requests · 10 min

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