Chinese New Year gatherings are perfect for swapping stories, eating one too many pineapple tarts, and, let's be honest, showing off questionable dance moves.
But it's also peak season for online nonsense: scam calls, fake "too-good-to-be-true" shopping sites, and links that look like they were blessed by a dragon… but is actually a scam in disguise.
So here are 5 digital literacy topics to share during Chinese New Year, framed as modern ways to "ward off bad luck", especially useful if our relatives are sending ang bao digitally, shopping for festive deals, or forwarding suspicious WhatsApp messages in the family group chat. (Yes, that one.)
We'll keep it friendly, simple, and very Singapore-family-dinner appropriate.
Scam Calls
Scam calls love holidays.
While we're busy visiting, cooking, and pretending we know what "auspicious" means, scammers are busy trying to turn festive cheer into fast panic.
Topic 1: "Urgent" prize or delivery calls (a.k.a. the Festive Panic Attack)
What it sounds like:
- "Congratulations. You've won a Chinese New Year prize draw." (that we definitely did not enter)
- "Your parcel is stuck, pay now or it'll be returned."
- "Your bank account has suspicious activity: press 1 now."
Digital literacy takeaway: urgency is a red flag. Scammers push us to act first and think later.
What we can say at the table:
- If it's urgent, we can hang up first, then verify using an official number from the bank's website/app.
- Never give OTPs, banking passwords, or NRIC details over the phone.
- If the caller claims to be from a bank, courier, or government office: real organisations don't need us to "press 1" to stay safe.
Mini family-friendly analogy:
If someone runs into our house yelling, "Quick. Give me your red packets or bad luck will come."… we wouldn't do it. A scam call is the digital version of that, just with worse acting.
Topic 2: Family emergency impersonation (the "Auntie, it's me." remake)
What it sounds like:
- "Mum/Dad, I changed my number, can you transfer money?"
- "I'm in trouble, don't tell anyone, just send funds now."
Digital literacy takeaway: identity can be faked. A familiar voice, name, or profile picture doesn't prove it's real.
What we can do immediately:
- Agree on a simple family verification habit: call back using the old number, or ask a question only the real person would know.
- Keep transfers slow: "We'll help, but we'll verify first."
Singapore-specific note:
In Singapore, scams often move quickly from call to WhatsApp or SMS.
If the story jumps platforms ("Call me on WhatsApp now."), treat it like a flashing red lantern.
Quick script we can teach everyone (so they don't freeze)
When we get a suspicious call, we can repeat this:
- Stop: Don't answer questions.
- Hang up: No guilt, our politeness is not a security feature.
- Verify: Use official channels (bank app, official website, known numbers).
- Tell someone: Scams thrive in silence.
Scam Websites
Chinese New Year shopping is a scammer's dream: time-limited deals, last-minute gift panic, and people buying in bulk while half-asleep.
Topic 3: Fake Lunar New Year e-shops (deep discounts, deeper trouble)
What it looks like:
- "80% OFF lanterns/zodiac gifts/couplets today only."
- A website that copies a real brand's design but has a slightly weird address
- Checkout pages that feel clunky or ask for too much info
Digital literacy takeaway: a pretty website is not the same as a real business.
What we can check in 30 seconds:
- URL sanity check: weird spelling, extra dashes, or random numbers? Red flag.
- HTTPS padlock: helpful, but not proof of legitimacy (scam sites can have it too).
- Contact details: is there a real address and customer support that isn't just "WhatsApp me"?
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing: if it's cheaper than everyone else by a mile, we're probably the product.
Simple tool to mention (without turning dinner into a lecture):
We can paste suspicious links into the Google Transparency Report to see if Google has flagged them.
Topic 4: "Lucky draw" pages that harvest data (free gift, paid with our privacy)
What it looks like:
- "Enter to win a Year of the Horse giveaway."
- "Take this zodiac personality quiz."
- "Spin the wheel to receive a 红包 now."
Digital literacy takeaway: data is valuable. Scammers and shady marketers trade in it.
What we can teach the family to spot:
- Pages that ask for:
- Full name + phone + email + address (all at once)
- Login via social media for "verification"
- Banking details for a "processing fee"
Funny-but-true line to use:
If a website says it's giving us money, but first needs our NRIC and card number… that's not good luck.
That's a pickpocket with Wi‑Fi.
Fast checklist for safer festive shopping
- Buy from well-known platforms or official brand stores.
- Use card protections where possible: avoid direct bank transfers to strangers.
- Screenshot receipts and order confirmations.
- If in doubt, ask someone else to sanity-check the link, CNY is a team sport.
Scam Prevention Techniques
Now for the part where we turn everyone into a slightly more suspicious (and much safer) version of themselves, without ruining the vibe.
Topic 5: Everyday scam prevention habits (small steps, big protection)
Think of these like digital versions of traditional "warding off bad luck." Except instead of hanging garlic, we're enabling settings.
1) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for ang bao transfers
Why it matters: if someone gets our password, 2FA is the extra locked door.
Where to use it:
- Email accounts (this is the "master key" to reset other passwords)
- Banking apps and payment services
- Social media accounts (because scammers love hijacking them)
Dinner-table phrasing:
"2FA is like putting a second seal on the red envelope, if someone tries to open it, they still can't."
2) Learn to recognise phishing in WhatsApp group chats
Common festive phishing patterns:
- "Click this lucky dragon link to claim your voucher."
- "This is the reunion dinner location, urgent, open now" (with a weird file)
- Links that look almost right, but not quite
What we can do as a family rule:
- Don't click first. Ask: Who sent this? Why now? What do they want us to do?
- If it's from a relative, confirm with them directly: "Did you mean to send this?"
Light-hearted reality check:
If Uncle sends a link at 2:13am called "Prosperity2026_FINAL_FINAL2.apk", it's not prosperity. It's chaos.
3) Play a quick "Spot the Red Flag" trivia game
Make it fun, because nobody wants a PowerPoint between yu sheng tosses.
Game idea (5 minutes):
Read out 3 messages and let everyone vote: real or scam.
- Message A: "Bank alert: suspicious login, click link."
- Message B: "Courier: delivery failed, pay $1.99."
- Message C: "Cousin: can you confirm our dinner time?"
Teach the pattern:
- Links + urgency + money = suspicious
- Requests for OTP/password = always a no
4) Use "pause and verify" before sharing festive posts
Why it matters: scams spread because good people forward them.
Examples:
- "Year of the Snake giveaway" posts with fake brand accounts
- "Breaking news" style warnings that cause panic
Simple habit:
Before we share, we ask:
- Is this from an official account?
- Can we find the same info on a trusted site?
- Does it push us to act immediately?
If we want a credible annual hook: Safer Internet Day resources are a nice reminder to think critically about what we see online, especially around viral posts.
5) Set up devices like we set the table: once, properly
A little "digital spring cleaning" before/around Chinese New Year goes a long way.
Quick setup checklist:
- Update phone OS and apps (security patches matter)
- Use a password manager, or at least stop reusing the same password everywhere
- Turn on scam/spam filters where available
- Review privacy settings on social media (especially for older relatives)
A tiny CNY-friendly pledge we can make as a family
- We don't transfer money under pressure.
- We don't share OTPs, ever.
- We verify links before clicking.
- We help each other double-check when something feels off.
Because the goal this Chinese New Year isn't just huat ah, it's huat safely. And if we can protect our money, our accounts, and our peace of mind, that's the best kind of prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 digital literacy topics to share during Chinese New Year gatherings?
The 5 digital literacy topics to share during Chinese New Year focus on scam awareness: scam calls, family emergency impersonation, scam websites, “lucky draw” data-harvesting pages, and everyday scam prevention habits (like 2FA and phishing awareness). They’re easy, family-friendly ways to stay safe while celebrating.
How can I spot scam calls during Chinese New Year, especially “urgent” prize or delivery calls?
Treat urgency as a red flag. If a caller says you’ve won a prize, a parcel is stuck, or your bank needs you to “press 1”, hang up and verify using official numbers from the organisation’s website or app. Never share OTPs, banking passwords, or ID details over the phone.
How do family emergency impersonation scams work on WhatsApp or SMS during Lunar New Year?
Scammers pretend to be a relative, often saying they changed numbers and need money urgently, or they’re “in trouble” and want secrecy. Identity can be faked using names, photos, or even familiar phrases. Call back on the old number or ask a private question before transferring anything.
What should I check before buying from a Chinese New Year online shop to avoid scam websites?
Do a quick URL check for odd spelling, extra dashes, or random numbers, and don’t rely on the HTTPS padlock alone. Look for real contact details beyond “WhatsApp only”, and be wary of extreme discounts. You can also test suspicious links using the Google Transparency Report.
Are “lucky draw” giveaways and zodiac quizzes safe, or are they data-harvesting scams?
Many “lucky draw” pages and zodiac quizzes are designed to collect personal data, not give gifts. Be cautious if a page asks for your full name, phone, email, and address at once, demands social-media login “for verification”, or requests bank details for a “processing fee”.
What are the best everyday scam prevention habits to teach relatives during Chinese New Year?
Keep it simple: enable two-factor authentication (especially for email, banking, and payment apps), pause before clicking links in group chats, and verify requests directly with the sender. Update devices, avoid password reuse (use a password manager if possible), and use built-in spam/scam filters where available.