If there’s one truth holiday scammers hope you never figure out, it’s this:

They’re not trying to fool your intelligence. They’re trying to hijack your emotions.

The rush.
The deal.
The “only 2 left!” flashing banner.

But five simple words can snap you out of that spell instantly:

This question cuts through the glitter, the urgency, and the “must-act-now” energy of the season.

Let me show you how it works in the real world.

Two weeks ago, my friend Linda called me in a nervous mix of embarrassment and relief.

She’d been shopping online for a Christmas gift for her grandson — a gaming keyboard he’d been begging for since July. Normally this thing costs more than her water bill, but she found it “70% off” at a store she didn’t recognize.

Already a red flag, but the price tugged hard.

As she browsed, a chat box popped up:

“Hi Linda! Need help checking out?”

She froze.
“How did they know my name?” she asked me later.

She hadn’t logged in.
She hadn’t created an account.
She definitely hadn’t told them her name.

But before she could process that, the chat agent cheerfully added:

“I can process your order for you. Just tell me the card number you want to use.”

Imagine someone in a grocery store walking up and saying:

“Hand me your wallet, I’ll pay for your groceries for you.”

Would you ever say yes to that?

Of course not.
But online, with emojis and a friendly tone, it almost felt… normal.

Linda said she hesitated for about three seconds because the gift was perfect and the “agent” seemed patient and kind.

But then a memory surfaced from one of my old tech workshops she attended:

“Ask yourself: What’s in it for them?”

Well… what was in it for them?

Why would a legitimate retailer offer one-on-one checkout service?
Why would a stranger be so eager to take her credit card number personally?

She closed the chat.
Closed the site.
Closed the entire browser.

The next morning, the site was gone.
Just… gone.
Like it had never existed.

Those five words, “What’s in it for them?”, saved her holiday budget.

And they can save yours too.

This trick works because it creates a mental speed bump during emotional decision-making.

Whenever you see ANY offer online, pause and ask:

Here’s how to put it into everyday practice especially during the hectic holiday rush:

Scammers depend on urgency.
If they can get you to act fast, they win.

Your 3-second pause breaks their plan.

A real business has a logical motive:
● To sell a product
● To process an order
● To share a promo you asked for

A scammer has one motive:
Get your information fast.

If their motive seems too intense or out of proportion… it’s suspicious.

Let’s look at a few examples:

“Your package is on hold, click to verify.”

❌ Their real goal:
Steal your login info and reroute or resell your shipments.

“Last-minute 80% OFF sale!”
From a brand you’ve never heard of.

❌ Their real goal:
Harvest credit card numbers.

A “customer service rep” asking for your card number in a chat box.

❌ Their real goal:
Immediate, direct access to your money.

“You won a prize!”
A contest you don’t remember entering.

❌ Their real goal:
Collect personal details for identity theft.

Scammers can now clone:
● Logos
● Brand colors
● Fonts
● Websites
● Order pages

Better than the real companies in many cases.

Looks don’t matter.
Motive does.

Trust your uneasiness.

If you can’t answer “What’s in it for them?” in a way that makes sense…
walk away.

During the holidays, we’re all a little:
● Distracted
● Rushed
● Budget-conscious
● Tired
● Overstimulated

Scammers know this and tailor their attacks accordingly.

This five-word trick works because it re-centers your thinking back on the ONLY question that exposes a scammer’s game.

It cuts the power of:
● Fake urgency
● Manufactured excitement
● Artificial discounts
● Emotional manipulation

When you understand the sender’s motive, you control the situation, not them.

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You don’t need tech skills.
You don’t need special tools.
You don’t need to memorize a list of scams.

You just need one question:

If the answer feels off… you already know what to do.

“Motive reveals truth.”

See you at the bank. 💰
Bob

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