Teach them to be more skeptical/less trusting about all interactions with strangers (not just scam calls). On some level, I don't like doing this because most p

Teach them to be more skeptical/less trusting about all interactions with strangers (not just scam calls). On some level, I don't like doing this because most people are good and skepticism puts a dark cloud over a lot of good/positive human interactions. But, I also hate to see people get tricked and taken advantage of by con men. The criminals who prey on the elderly using tech scams (I just need your credit card number to deposit the funds) use the same emotional cons and tactics as those who prey on kids (can you help me find my lost puppy) and they ought to be handled the same. I've found the best way to address this is to deflect the request. Give me your phone number and I'll call you back or let's report the lost puppy to that policeman over there. And, also practice con-like scenarios. Make a game out of it.