Double-Check: Archie's Close Call (1/3)
- Flaem
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
The Spark was quieter than usual, the kind of quiet that made every keyboard tap sound louder than it should. Archie sat hunched over his laptop, hoodie sleeves pushed up, eyes flicking between his design file and the time on his watch.
Just one more tweak.
His inbox refreshed.
Subject: Design Enquiry - Project Availability
Before he even opened it, Archie felt a small flicker of hope.
The email was clean. Confident. It mentioned his colour choices, referenced a project he’d shared online months ago. Not generic praise - specific enough to feel real.
They liked his style. They needed help quickly. They were willing to pay.
Archie leaned back, letting out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding.
This would help. Not in a dramatic way - just enough to take the edge off things. Living expenses didn’t disappear just because you were careful. Rent, travel, food - it all added up.
He replied professionally. Asked about scope. Timeline. Deliverables.
The response came back almost instantly.
That should have felt impressive.
Instead, something in his stomach tightened.
The follow-up email was firmer. More urgent.
They needed to “lock him in.” Admin first. Payment setup.
A short list appeared:
Full name.
Address.
Date of birth.
A link to “confirm identity details”.
Archie stared at it.
Paperwork was normal. He knew that. Invoices, forms, systems. But the tone was off - polite, but pushy. Like it was his delay that might cost him the job.
His cursor hovered over the link.
Don’t overthink it, a voice in his head said. This is how people miss opportunities.
Another voice - quieter, steadier - asked, Why does this feel rushed?
Archie frowned. He hated this part. The second-guessing. The worry that being careful made him look inexperienced.
Penny slowed as she passed his table.
He hadn’t moved on. No stretch. No break. Just the same email open, inbox refreshing, then stopping, then hovering - like he was waiting for permission from the screen.
“Looks like you’re in a rush,” Penny said lightly.
“I’m not,” Archie replied a little too fast. “Just… a client.”
“What’s making it feel urgent?” she asked.
Archie hesitated, then turned the screen slightly.
“They want details. For payment.”
Penny nodded. “What would you tell someone else to check first?”
“The sender. The link. Whether it lines up with anything official.”
“And have you?”
“…Not yet.”
Archie opened a new tab.
He searched the agency name. Added a few extra words. Scrolled slowly.
The website looked polished - until it didn’t. The logo was almost right. The language familiar, but slightly off.
He checked the email address properly.
One character was different.
“Oh,” he muttered. “That’s… sneaky.”
“How’re you feeling?” Penny asked.
“Relieved,” Archie said. Then, quieter, “And annoyed. I nearly sent them everything.”
He pictured it - his details floating somewhere he couldn’t see. Enough to unlock more than he’d meant to give.
“Pausing isn’t paranoia,” Penny said. “It’s a skill.”
Archie deleted the email. Blocked the sender. Reported it.
His shoulders dropped.
The relief came first.
Then the after-thought.
What if he hadn’t noticed?
“I hate that they make it feel like it’s your fault for hesitating,” Archie said.
“They press emotional buttons,” Penny replied. “Knowing yours helps you protect yourself.”
Archie scribbled in his notebook:
Rule one: Don’t click when hyped or stressed.
Rule two: Double-check.
As he passed the noticeboard, something caught his eye.
Has anyone worked with Brightline Creative before? They’ve emailed me about a paid design project and want to move quickly.
Archie stopped.
His stomach dropped.
Key Takeaways
Scams often feel convincing because they copy real situations and apply time pressure
Emotional states like excitement or stress can affect judgement
Protecting yourself means slowing down, checking sources, and verifying independently
Check the sender address and link carefully - tiny differences matter.”
Staying informed is an active skill - scam tactics change, and so should your checks
Reflection
Create a personal Double-Check habit:
Who is contacting me, and how?
What are they asking for - money, data, or urgency?
Can I verify this through an official website, app, or trusted contact?
How am I feeling right now?
When money or opportunities feel urgent, what helps you slow down and make clearer decisions?
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