Verify an unsolicited offer independently and do not send ID, banking credentials or an OTP to the sender. Urgency is not evidence of legitimacy.
What to check
- The claimed provider and its official communication channels
Pause the requested action. Locate the organisation’s contact independently and verify the specific recipient, document or payment request there.
A decision to avoid
Responding to a stranger because the message uses your name.
Your next action
- Verify an unsolicited offer independently and do not send ID, banking credentials or an OTP to the sender. Urgency is not evidence of legitimacy.
- Pause the requested action. Locate the organisation’s contact independently and verify the specific recipient, document or payment request there.
- Keep the dated document or reference that supports the answer.
Questions about this decision
What should I check first?
Verify an unsolicited offer independently and do not send ID, banking credentials or an OTP to the sender. Urgency is not evidence of legitimacy.
Which information do I need for this decision?
The claimed provider and its official communication channels.
Which mistake should I avoid here?
Responding to a stranger because the message uses your name.
When should I review this decision?
Review it when the amount, date or condition you used changes. Keep the previous version so you can identify what changed.
How do I check the claimed provider and its official communication channels?
Locate the actual dated record for The claimed provider and its official communication channels. Compare it with the other records in this checklist; ask the organisation responsible for any unexplained difference.
What should I do if a required detail is missing?
Mark it as unresolved. Ask for that precise detail before choosing; do not substitute an advertised example for your own document.
What is the next practical step?
Pause the requested action. Locate the organisation’s contact independently and verify the specific recipient, document or payment request there.
How can I verify the explanation?
Use the documents listed above. Check quoted amounts and dates in the original record; use the official reference links for the organisation’s guidance.
