Sketchy Requests

Bad requests often try to make you move faster than your judgment can keep up.

Common pressure patterns

Pattern	What it sounds like	Safer response
Urgency	”This expires in 10 minutes.”	Slow down and verify independently.
Secrecy	”Do not tell anyone.”	Bring in a trusted person or official channel.
Authority	”I am from support, your bank, or the platform.”	Contact the organization from a known route.
Fear	”Your account will be deleted.”	Check account status from a bookmark or app.
Reward	”You won, just pay a fee.”	Treat payment to receive money as a warning sign.

Links and downloads

Before clicking, look at where the link actually goes. Be extra careful with shortened links, lookalike domains, attachments you did not expect, and files that ask you to enable macros, profiles, or special permissions.

Know when to stop

If a conversation is getting hotter, more confusing, or more demanding, stop. Safety often starts with refusing the tempo.