Is This a Scam?
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, uncomfortable, or too good to be true, pause. You have time to check before taking action.
Common Warning Signs
Answer these questions honestly. Even one "yes" is a reason to be very careful:
Pressure and Urgency
- Are they pressuring you to act immediately?
- Do they say something bad will happen if you don't act right now?
- Are they discouraging you from talking to family, friends, or your bank?
- Do they tell you to keep this secret?
Payment Methods
- Are they asking for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash?
- Are they asking you to move money between accounts or withdraw large amounts of cash?
- Do they refuse to accept credit cards or checks?
Contact and Identity
- Did they contact you unexpectedly?
- Are they claiming to be from a company or government agency but won't give you a callback number to verify?
- Does the phone number, email address, or website look slightly off?
- Are they asking for personal information like your Social Security number, passwords, or bank account details?
Too Good to Be True
- Are they promising guaranteed returns, easy money, or prizes you didn't enter to win?
- Is the deal significantly better than what legitimate companies offer?
- Are they offering to recover money you lost in a previous scam?
Technology Red Flags
- Did a pop-up or alert appear on your computer telling you to call a number?
- Are they asking you to download software or give remote access to your computer?
- Did you receive a text message with a link from a number you don't recognize?
What To Do Right Now
If any of these warning signs apply to your situation:
- Stop all contact with the person or company immediately.
- Do not send money or provide any additional information.
- Hang up, close the window, or delete the message. You don't owe them an explanation.
- Contact the real company or agency directly using a phone number you find yourself (not one they provided).
- Read our guide on What To Do Now for next steps.
Still Not Sure?
Browse our list of Common Scams to see if your situation matches a known scam pattern. You can also search for specific details to find more information.
When in doubt, it's always safer to pause and verify than to proceed and regret it.
Emergency
If you believe a crime is actively occurring or someone is in immediate physical danger, contact your local police or emergency services immediately.