Public Wi-Fi networks are typically open networks. That means anyone nearby can connect to the same network you're using. Unlike secured networks in your home, these public connections can lack strong protections that keep your information private.
Most scams try to create urgency. You get a message saying your bank account has been locked, a package could not be delivered, or your computer has a security problem. The message wants you to act immediately. Don't be fooled.
Phone scams are designed to create panic and urgency. The goal is to get you to act quickly before you have time to think. One simple way families can protect themselves is by creating a shared verbal lock-phrase.