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Scam safety

Start with what is happening right now.

If something already happened, protect money and access first. If a call, text, pop-up, or message feels suspicious, stop and check it through a route the contact did not choose.

Something already happened I want to check a contact

Immediate help

Protect what may still be at risk.

  1. Immediate physical danger: call 911 for police, fire, or ambulance assistance.
  2. Money may still be moving: contact the bank, card issuer, or payment company now through its known app, website, card, or statement.
  3. Someone may still have account or device access: stop contact and use another trusted device to reach affected institutions.
  4. No action taken yet: do not click, reply, pay, share a code, or give access while you check.

Three steps. One safer route.

You do not have to prove a contact is fraudulent before you stop. Leave the route it controls and check the real account, organization, or person independently.

Step 1

PAUSE

Do not click, reply, pay, share a code, or give access.

Step 2

STEP OUTSIDE

Do not use the link, phone number, QR code, payment route, or instructions the contact provided.

Step 3

VERIFY

Use a separate trusted source: an official app, a website you already know, the number on your card or statement, or a number already saved for the person.

Stop and check when you notice a red flag.

One red flag is a reason to slow down and verify. It is not always proof by itself.

01

Urgency or threats

You are pushed to act now, before you can think or ask questions.

02

Secrecy or isolation

You are told not to hang up, call family, speak to your bank, or tell anyone.

03

Unexpected contact

You did not start the conversation or request the message, link, or help.

04

Information or access

Someone asks for a password, code, personal or financial information, screen sharing, or remote access.

05

An unusual way to pay

Someone directs you to gift cards, a wire, cryptocurrency, cash, or a payment app in an unexpected situation.

Choose the situation that matches.

The library is organized by an observable event, not by guessing a scam name.

See all recovery pathsSee all check paths

Source notes

Official guidance behind these steps

Plainly Living uses the scope and exceptions recorded in its claim-control ledger. These links go to the responsible public agency.