Hidden in Plain Sight

10 Subtle Clues That Text or Email Is a Phishing Scam

By: Alsden Keir

Narrated by: Darren Guido

Digital Messages, Real Dangers: Why You Need to Pay Attention

Every day, we send and receive countless messages—emails from work, reminders from banks, shipping updates from online stores, and texts from friends. Communicating through screens has become so common that most of us don’t even think twice before opening a message, clicking a link, or responding to a notification.

But in that sea of normal communication lies something much more dangerous: messages designed to trick you, to make you give away your passwords, financial details, or other private information. These scams often come hidden in the very tools we trust most—email and text.

They’re called phishing (when it’s email) and smishing (when it’s a text message). And their goal is simple: to "fish" for your information using bait that looks as real and harmless as possible.

What Makes Phishing So Dangerous?

You might be thinking, "I’m smart—I’d never fall for one of those scammy messages full of typos or fake-looking links."

That’s a good start. But here’s the thing: phishing scams have evolved.

Many of today’s phishing attempts are sophisticated, well-written, and extremely convincing. Scammers are no longer just blasting out poorly written spam emails. They’re crafting realistic messages that look like they came from your bank, your boss, or your favorite online store.

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Eye-Opening and Practical Cybersecurity Guide

This book was an absolute wake-up call. I always thought I could spot a scam, but "Hidden in Plain Sight" showed me how clever and subtle phishing scams have become. The tips were easy to follow and immediately useful. I now think twice before clicking anything in a message!

Smart, Timely, and Empowering

Phishing is something we all think we’re immune to—until we’re not. This book breaks down how modern scams work and what signs to look for, even in the most legitimate-looking messages. I shared it with my parents and coworkers. Everyone should have this knowledge in today’s world.

Essential Reading for Families

I got this book for myself but ended up sharing it with my whole family. It’s frightening how easy it is to fall for a scam, especially for teens and older adults. This book teaches awareness and self-defense in the digital world

A Wake-Up Call for Everyday Users

Clear, concise, and incredibly useful. The author explains complex digital scams in a way that’s easy to understand. I especially appreciated the side-by-side comparisons of real vs. fake messages. This guide should be mandatory reading for anyone who owns a smartphone or checks email.

Finally, a Cybersecurity Book for Regular Peopl

I’ve tried reading about digital threats before, but most books are too technical. Hidden in Plain Sight is written for everyday users and makes complex dangers easy to understand. It’s not just informative it’s empowering

I Thought I Was Safe Until I Read This

I’ve always been cautious online, but this book opened my eyes to how even the most careful person can be tricked. The author explains modern scams in great detail, helping you recognize the red flags you never knew existed

Smart, Practical, and Potentially Life-Saving

I bought this book for my parents, but ended up reading it myself first—and I’m glad I did! It helped me realize how easy it is to overlook suspicious signs. The tips are simple to follow and could save someone from a serious security breach.

Essential Reading for Digital Safety

This book opened my eyes to how sophisticated phishing has become. It breaks down real-world examples and gives practical tips on how to spot subtle red flags. I thought I was cautious, but I learned so much. Highly recommended for anyone who uses email or text regularly.

Practical and Life-Saving Advice

I consider myself tech-savvy, but this book showed me how convincing modern phishing scams can be. The examples of real-looking emails from "banks" or "Amazon" were shocking. The section on analyzing hyperlinks before clicking was especially useful. Every chapter provides actionable tips to stay safe. A must-read for professionals and casual users alike!

Eye-Opening Guide to Digital Safety

This book was a real wake-up call. I thought I was savvy enough to spot scams, but the examples here were shockingly real. The subtle signs the author explains helped me rethink how I interact with emails and texts. Everyone who uses a phone or computer should read this!