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Even something as mundane as reading the news about things that do not usually concern me helps me realize when people are trying to manipulate me. Knowledge is power.
However, it is not just facts that can keep you safe. Imagination, which is the ability to see possibilities and outcomes, and to be creative, is a very important tool. For instance, if I start getting emails claiming I won a prize, or that someone has compromised my email account, I not only check if it is grammatically incorrect, but I also use my imagination and ask, “How would they contact me if it were true?” and “Does it make sense?” Most scams fall apart if you use your imagination and critical thinking.
Scientists who studied phishing scams have found that critical thinking can significantly decrease the chances of falling prey to online scams.
One thing I have had to learn the hard way is that mistakes are not the end of the world. I have been scammed once or twice. But who hasn’t? What I now know is that those experienced taught me more than any book ever could.
