PRACTICAL PROTECTION FROM SCAMS
Pause. Check.
Protect yourself.
Scammers rely on urgency and confusion. We offer you tools and information to help you recognize scams, respond when something goes wrong, and stay safer online.
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Take a moment. Verify first.
What can we help you with?
Start with what you need right now.
Tools and information for every step.
Whether you are suspicious about a message you received, have been targeted by a scam, or simply want to become harder to scam, start here.
01 · CHECK
Message Scam Analyzer
Received a suspicious email, text, or social media message? Our analyzer looks for some common patterns that could indicate a scam.
Paste a suspicious message and search for common scam patterns, pressure tactics, requests, and warning signs that may warrant a closer look.
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Check before you click
02 · RECOVER
Scam Response Guide
Have you been targeted by a scam?Â
Our scam response guide provides general information, resources, and steps to consider that apply to various common situations.
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Take action
03 · KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
Scam Reporter
Curious what scams have recently been reported?
Our scam reporter compiles recent data from FTC and FBI databases to show the types of online scams that have been reported across the U.S.
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Your community
04 · PREPARE
Outsmart Scammers
The more you know about how scams work, the easier they can be to recognize.
Learn simple ways to potentially avoid many common scams, read about common types of scams and how to protect yourself, and practice spotting warning signs through realistic scam simulations.
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Learn the tricks
05 · HEAR FROM EXPERTS
Expert Voices
What do professionals who study scams want you to know?
Explore interviews with scam researchers, fraud-prevention professionals, cybersecurity specialists, and other experts who study how scams work and how consumers can stay safer.
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Knowledge is protection
Scammers want you to act quickly.
You don’t have to. When something feels urgent, threatening, or unusually good to be true, give yourself permission to pause.
1 Stop
Don’t rush because someone says you must act immediately.
2 Check
Verify who contacted you using information you trust.
3 Ask
Talk to someone you trust before sending money, clicking a link, or sharing information.
Smart & Silver
Practical information for staying safer from scams.