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Check a suspicious text for scam warning signs

  • For High school students
  • You practice Showing an example of what you want
  • Time about 5 minutes

About this exercise

You got a text saying your package can't be delivered. You want to check it before you tap anything. Get exactly 4 numbered red flags, each quoting the exact words from the text in quotation marks, then a last line starting "Safe next step:" that doesn't use the link or number in the text. Under 110 words, plain text. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Getting a general scam lecture. The AI lists common scam signs that aren't in this text, like spelling errors or prize offers. Try: Add: "Quote the exact words from this text for each red flag."
  • Ignoring what only you know. The AI judges the text alone and misses that your order ships with a different company. Try: Add: "Use my context: the store ships with Parcel Express."
  • No clear next step. The AI ends with a list of tips instead of one safe thing to do now. Try: Add: "Last line: Safe next step: one action that doesn't use the link or number."
  • Leaving the length open. The AI writes headed sections and bold warnings that are hard to read on a phone. Try: Say: "Exactly 4 numbered red flags, then one last line. Plain text."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 110 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "each red flag under 16 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Asks for exact quotes
  • Uses your context
  • Asks for a safe next step
  • Sets the number of red flags
  • Sets a word limit

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