Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Scams” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Scams
1. What is a scam?
2. Can you name different types of scams?
3. How do people usually get scammed?
4. Why do you think people fall for scams?
5. What are some common signs of a scam?

II. Personal Experiences with Scams
6. Have you or someone you know ever been scammed?
7. How did you or they realize it was a scam?
8. What did you or they do after discovering the scam?
9. Did you or they lose money because of the scam?
10. How did being scammed make you or them feel?

III. Online Scams
11. What are some examples of online scams?
12. How can you protect yourself from online scams?
13. Have you ever received a suspicious email or message online?
14. Why do you think online scams are so common?
15. What should you do if you receive a message that looks like a scam?

IV. Telephone and SMS Scams
16. What is a telephone scam?
17. Have you ever received a scam call or text message?
18. What kind of information do scammers ask for on the phone?
19. How can you tell if a phone call is a scam?
20. What should you do if you get a scam phone call?

V. Protecting Personal Information
21. Why is it important to protect your personal information?
22. What personal information should you never share with strangers?
23. How can you keep your personal information safe online?
24. What should you do if you think your personal information has been stolen?
25. Can sharing too much on social media lead to scams?

VI. Financial Scams
26. What are some common financial scams?
27. How do investment scams work?
28. Why do people fall for lottery and inheritance scams?
29. What should you do if someone asks you to send money upfront for a prize?
30. How can you check if a financial opportunity is legitimate?

VII. Scams Targeting the Elderly
31. Why are elderly people often targeted by scammers?
32. What types of scams specifically target the elderly?
33. How can we help protect the elderly from scams?
34. What should an elderly person do if they suspect they are being scammed?
35. How can you talk to elderly family members about scams?

VIII. Scams in Different Countries
36. Are there scams that are more common in certain countries?
37. How do scams differ around the world?
38. Why do some scams originate from specific countries?
39. Can tourists be targets for scams in foreign countries?
40. How can you avoid scams when traveling internationally?

IX. Reporting Scams
41. Who should you report a scam to?
42. What information do you need to report a scam?
43. How does reporting a scam help others?
44. What can happen to scammers when they are caught?
45. Can you get your money back after being scammed?

X. Scam Awareness and Education
46. How can we raise awareness about scams?
47. Why is education important in preventing scams?
48. What resources are available to learn about scams?
49. How can schools help teach about scam prevention?
50. What role do governments have in preventing scams?

XI. Technology and Scams
51. How has technology made it easier for scammers to operate?
52. What is phishing?
53. Can anti-virus software protect you from scams?
54. What is two-factor authentication, and how does it help?
55. How can artificial intelligence be used to detect scams?

XII. The Psychology of Scams
56. Why do scams often rely on people’s emotions?
57. How do scammers use fear and urgency to trick people?
58. What psychological tricks do scammers use to gain trust?
59. How can understanding psychology help prevent being scammed?
60. Why do some people continue to fall for scams even after being warned?