Scammers tell lots of different stories to try to get your money or personal information. They might lie and say you owe the government money. Or pretend to be your bank and say your account’s been hacked. They might claim someone in your family had an emergency or that your computer has a virus. Or they might tell a different lie.
Scammers tell you all these things to try to get you to panic. They want you to hurry and do what they say before you have time to think, check out their story, or reach out to someone who might intervene.
That’s where the FTC’s new tool, How I’ll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan, can help. You can use it to make a list of people you trust — maybe your friend, neighbor, parent, daughter, or grandson — who you can reach out to if you think you might be dealing with a scammer. Talking it through can help you realize that something’s not right.
The Action Plan also has you list contact information for companies you do business with — like your credit card company, bank, and favorite online shopping sites — so you’ll know how to reach them directly if you’re worried there’s a problem with your account.
How do I protect myself from scammers?
Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Don’t respond to unexpected calls, emails, texts, or social media messages that ask for money or personal information.
- Take your time. Honest organizations will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your information is a scammer.
- Never pay someone who insists you can only pay with a gift card, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
How do I report a scammer?
Tell the Federal Trade Commission:
- Go online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Call 1-877-382-4357
Scams can affect anyone at any time so make your own action plan. Post it on your fridge or keep it near your phone or computer. Then help others in your life make one:
- Drop it off at your kid’s, parent’s, or grandparent’s house
- Hand it out to your colleagues, friends, and neighbors
- Share it at your church, local library, or community center