Prevention
My scam action plan
Scammers count on catching people in the moment, when there is no time to think. A plan made on a calm day does the thinking ahead of time. Fill this in on screen or on paper, print it, and keep it next to the phone.
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My Scam Action Plan
Elderus · elderus.org
1. My rules
These hold no matter who is asking, or how official they sound.
- I can hang up on anyone, at any time. A real bank or agency will still be there when I call back.
- I call back using a number I already have: the back of my card, a statement, or my own address book. I never use a number the caller gives me.
- I never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, a Bitcoin ATM, a wire transfer, or cash handed to a courier. Those are the payment methods scammers ask for.
- Anyone who tells me to keep a secret from my family or my bank is a scammer.
- I never let someone I don't know connect to my computer.
- I wait before I pay. A real emergency can handle a phone call to someone I trust first.
2. The people I call first
Before sending money or sharing information, I talk to one of these people.
3. My bank and cards
Copy these from the back of each card, so the right number is here when I need it.
4. When something feels off
- Stop. Hang up, close the email, or put the letter down.
- Check. Call the person or company back at a number I already have, or paste the message into the Scam Checker at elderus.org.
- Talk. Call someone from section 2 before doing anything with money.
5. If money or information was already sent
- Call my bank or card company first (section 3).
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For online, wire, or crypto losses, also at ic3.gov.
- Age 60 or older: the National Elder Fraud Hotline helps with every step, 1-833-372-8311.
Step-by-step help by payment method: elderus.org/if-you-were-scammed