🆘 We're Here to Help
Take a breath. You're doing the right thing by checking. Pick the option that fits your situation.
What's happening right now?
📞 Someone Is on the Phone With You Right Now
The single most important thing you can do: HANG UP.
It is always safe to hang up. You will not get in trouble. No real government agency, bank, or company will punish you for ending a call.
- 1
Hang up the phone
Do not say goodbye. Do not explain. Just press "End Call." Nothing bad will happen.
- 2
Do NOT call back any number they gave you
Scammers provide fake callback numbers. If you want to verify, look up the company's real number yourself.
- 3
Tell someone you trust
Call a family member, friend, or neighbor. The scammer told you not to tell anyone -- that's exactly why you should.
- 4
Report it
Your report helps investigators shut down these operations.
✅ You did the right thing. Hanging up takes courage, and you should be proud of yourself.
💬 You Got a Suspicious Call, Text, or Email
Good instinct. If something feels off, it probably is. Here's how to check.
- 1
Don't respond yet
Don't call back, click any links, or reply to the message. Scammers want you to act before you think.
- 2
Check it here
Use our free scam checker tool to look up the phone number, email, or website.
- 3
Look for warning signs
- 🚩 Pressure to act immediately ("You must pay today")
- 🚩 Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- 🚩 Threats of arrest, lawsuits, or account suspension
- 🚩 "Keep this secret" -- don't tell family or your bank
- 🚩 Too-good-to-be-true prizes, refunds, or offers
- 4
Verify independently
If they claimed to be from a company or agency, look up the real number yourself (from your card, a bill, or the official website) and call them directly.
💸 You Already Sent Money or Shared Information
This is NOT your fault. These are sophisticated criminal operations that fool smart, capable people every day. What matters now is acting quickly.
- 1
Call your bank immediately
Use the number on the back of your bank card. Tell them you may be a victim of fraud. They can freeze accounts and stop transfers.
- 2
If you paid with gift cards
Call the gift card company (number on the back of the card). Some can freeze unused funds. Keep the cards and receipts as evidence.
- 3
If you shared your Social Security number
Place a fraud alert or credit freeze at all three credit bureaus:
- 4
File official reports
👨👩👧 You're Worried About a Family Member
If you think a parent, grandparent, or loved one may be involved in a scam, here's how to help without making them feel judged.
- 1
Start with curiosity, not alarm
"Tell me about this person you've been talking to" works better than "You're being scammed." Listen first.
- 2
Frame it as "these criminals are sophisticated"
Never imply they were foolish. These are organized criminal operations that fool smart people. That framing respects their dignity.
- 3
Set up a family code word
Choose a random word (like "Bluebird" or "Maple") that only family members know. If someone calls claiming to be a relative in trouble, ask for the code word first.
- 4
Share this site and the newsletter
Forward them the Senior Scam Alerts newsletter or bookmark this site on their device. Real stories from federal cases are more convincing than lectures.
- 5
If money has already been sent
Go to the "I already sent money" section above and help them work through those steps immediately.