You're scrolling Instagram. A message pops up from someone claiming to be your bank. They need you to verify your account. You have 30 minutes, or it will be closed.
Your heart races. You don't want to lose your account. You spent your last Friday at another bank for a simple process that took the whole day, and you don't want to go through that again.
So you click the link.
Stop.
That's the moment right there.
That's the moment when your ₦50,000 savings either stay safe or disappear forever. And the only difference will be knowing what to look out for.
In this first part, we'll discuss 5 signs you're about to be scammed, and what to do instead.
1. URGENT LANGUAGE: Act Now or Lose Everything
If you receive a message requiring urgent action, it is possibly a scam. Messages like:
- Your account will be closed in 24 hours!
- Limited time offer — expires today!
- Respond immediately or face penalties
Scammers typically use urgency to bypass your logical brain. When you're panicked, you are more likely to react before you think.
How to escape: PAUSE.
Call your bank's official number (not the one in the message). Banks don't close accounts via WhatsApp or SMS threats.
2. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
If you see an offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Offers like:
- Investment platforms promising unrealistic returns
- Work from home, earn ₦500,000 monthly!
- You've won a lottery you never entered
Scammers rely on the fact that most people desire shortcuts to wealth in life. Therefore, they bait their victims with offers that sound juicy but are money-grabs.
How to escape:
- Research the company. Google [company name] + scam.
- Check CAC registration (if it's a Nigerian business).
- Ask yourself: If it's this easy, why isn't everyone doing it?
A good rule of thumb is that if you can't explain how they make money, it's likely a scam.
3. FAKE SENDER ADDRESSES
If the email address or phone number is different from the official email or phone number of your financial platform, it is likely a scam. For example:
- Real: alerts@gtbank.com
- Fake: alerts@gtbank-verify.com (notice the extra word)
- Fake: alerts@gtbank.support-ng.com (subdomain trick)
At a glance, they look identical. Scammers count on you not checking carefully.
How to escape: Verify details carefully. Look for extra words, hyphens, or misspellings.
When in doubt, don't click. Go directly to the company's website yourself or call a representative to confirm.
4. REQUESTS FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION
If you receive an email requesting sensitive information such as your PIN, an OTP code, or your BVN and password, it is a scam.
Note that these messages often sound official and look legitimate, but aren't.
How to escape: PAUSE
No legitimate organisation will EVER ask for:
- PINs
- Passwords
- OTPs (One-Time Passwords)
- CVV codes
- Full card numbers via email/SMS
If they ask for these, it's 100% a scam.
5. POOR GRAMMAR AND SPELLING
Scams often feature poor grammar. If simple words are misspelt, pay closer attention. This may look like:
- Dear esteemed costumer
- You are account is under investigation
- Random capitalization and punctuation
How to escape:
- Read carefully. Banks have editors. Scammers don't.
- One typo might be a mistake. But if there are multiple errors, it is a scam.
SUMMARY
Scammers rely on three things:
- Your trust (they impersonate people/organizations you know)
- Your emotions (they create urgency, fear, greed, or love)
- Your ignorance (they count on you not knowing these signs)
Every Nigerian who learns these signs is one less victim. Share this with 5 people today. You might save someone's life savings.