Unexpected contact
Be cautious when someone contacts you out of nowhere asking for money, account access, personal information, or immediate action.
Scam Prevention • Fraud Awareness • Identity Protection
Slow down. Verify first. Protect yourself.
Scams succeed by creating pressure before you have time to think. This page is designed to help you recognize warning signs, protect your identity and money, verify what you are being told, and know where to turn if something has already happened.
Know the Pattern
Warning flags worth stopping for.
Pressure and urgency
Scammers often create a deadline, emergency, threat, or fear that something terrible will happen unless you act immediately.
Requests for secrecy
A demand that you not tell your family, bank, police, employer, or anyone else is a major warning sign.
They tell you how you must pay
Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, cash, payment apps, gold, or other difficult-to-reverse payments are common scam tools.
Move your money to 'protect it'
Banks and government agencies do not tell you to move your savings into a special account, cryptocurrency wallet, cash box, or 'safe' account.
They ask for verification codes
Never give someone a one-time login code, authentication code, PIN, password, or security answer because they contacted you.
Remote access to your device
Do not install remote-access software or let an unexpected caller control your computer or phone.
Caller ID is not proof
Phone numbers, email addresses, logos, badges, documents, social-media profiles, and websites can all be spoofed or copied.
Too good to be true
Guaranteed returns, secret investments, surprise prizes, effortless income, guaranteed grants, or extraordinary offers deserve independent verification.
Emotional manipulation
Fear, romance, sympathy, authority, embarrassment, greed, loyalty and urgency are all emotions scammers deliberately exploit.
A link instead of an official website
For banks, government agencies and important accounts, open the official app or type the known website yourself rather than using a link from a message.
They know personal information
Knowing your name, address, relatives, account provider or part of your Social Security number does not prove someone is legitimate.
Recovery after a previous scam
Be extremely cautious of anyone promising to recover money you already lost, especially if they demand payment or personal information first.
AI voice or video 'proof'
A convincing voice, video call or image is no longer reliable proof of identity. Verify important requests through a separate trusted channel.
Scam Prevention
Learn the Warning Signs
Start with trusted guides that explain how scams work, what tactics repeat across different schemes, and what to do before sending money or information.
FTC — How to Avoid a Scam
A plain-language overview of the recurring tactics scammers use and how to slow down before responding.
CFPB — Fraud & Scams
Federal consumer-protection guidance on common fraud, identity theft, warning signs, rights and recovery.
FTC — Online Scams
Guides covering phishing, romance scams, tech-support scams and other online threats.
FTC — Impersonator Scams
Learn how criminals pretend to be government agencies, businesses, relatives, employers and other trusted people.
BBB Scam Tracker
Search recent scam reports by business name, website, email, phone number, location or scam type.
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Free scam education, current fraud news and guidance for people who think they may have been targeted.
Identity Theft Resource Center
Nonprofit identity-theft and fraud education plus free victim-assistance resources.
Scam Prevention
Protect Your Identity & Credit
Free tools to reduce identity-theft risk, watch your credit and recover if personal information has already been exposed.
IdentityTheft.gov
The federal government's identity-theft reporting and recovery system. It can create a personalized recovery plan.
IdentityTheft.gov — Recovery Resources
Recovery steps, sample letters, rights, breach guidance and credit-bureau information.
FTC — Credit Freezes & Fraud Alerts
Learn how free credit freezes and fraud alerts can make it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts.
AnnualCreditReport.com
The federally authorized source for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
IRS Identity Theft Central
Protect against and recover from tax-related identity theft and learn about IRS identity-protection tools.
IRS Identity Protection PIN
Learn about the free IP PIN that helps prevent someone else from filing a federal tax return using your identity.
Social Security — Protect Your Identity
Identity-protection guidance from the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
ITRC — Free Identity Recovery Help
Free nonprofit assistance and individualized recovery guidance for people affected by identity theft or fraud.
Scam Prevention
Common Scams to Know
The story changes, but the underlying tactics repeat. Learn the patterns before you encounter them.
Phishing Emails & Texts
FTC guidance on recognizing messages designed to steal passwords, account numbers and personal information.
Government Impersonation
Learn how scammers pretend to be the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, the FTC, police and other agencies.
Tech Support Scams
Fake virus warnings, bogus subscriptions and callers seeking remote access to your computer.
Romance Scams
Learn the warning signs when an online relationship gradually turns into requests for money or investments.
Job Scams
Recognize fake recruiters, work-from-home schemes, upfront fees and fraudulent checks.
Fake Check Scams
Understand why a deposited check can appear to clear before the bank later discovers that it was fraudulent.
Gift Card Scams
Learn why demands for gift-card payment are a major scam indicator and what to do if you already paid.
Prize, Sweepstakes & Lottery Scams
If you must pay money or provide financial information to collect a supposed prize, stop and verify.
Refund & Recovery Scams
Scammers often return after a loss pretending to be investigators, lawyers or recovery specialists.
Mortgage Relief Scams
Warning signs for homeowners targeted with fake foreclosure or mortgage-assistance promises.
Investment Fraud Red Flags
SEC guidance on guaranteed returns, pressure, fake credentials, suspicious payments and other investment-fraud warning signs.
IRS 2026 Dirty Dozen
The IRS's current annual list of major tax scams, including AI impersonation, phishing, fake charities and bogus tax-credit promotions.
Medicare Fraud & Identity Theft
Official Medicare guidance on protecting your Medicare number, spotting fraudulent claims and reporting abuse.
Postal & Package Scams
U.S. Postal Inspection Service reporting and prevention resources for mail fraud, fake deliveries, sweepstakes and identity theft.
Scam Prevention
Verify Before You Trust
Do not rely on what the person contacting you gives you. Independently verify businesses, investments, charities, websites and professionals.
BBB Scam Tracker — Look Up a Scam
Search reports by phone number, website, email, business name, location or scam type.
Investor.gov — Protect Your Investments
Research investment professionals, learn fraud warning signs and check investment information before sending money.
FINRA BrokerCheck
Free background information about registered brokerage firms and investment professionals.
Investor.gov — Protect Your Money
Current SEC guidance on relationship investment scams, suspicious payment methods, AI, fake testimonials and high-return promises.
IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search
Verify whether an organization is recognized by the IRS before relying on claims about tax-exempt charitable status.
AnnualCreditReport.com
Monitor all three major credit reports for accounts or activity you do not recognize.
FTC Consumer Advice
Search a company, scam type or suspicious situation against federal consumer-protection guidance.
Scam Prevention
Protect Your Accounts & Devices
Basic digital-security habits make it much harder for someone to turn one mistake into access to everything you own.
CISA — Secure Our World
Federal cybersecurity guidance built around phishing awareness, strong passwords, multifactor authentication and software updates.
CISA — Turn on Multifactor Authentication
Step-by-step guidance for adding an additional layer of protection beyond a password.
CISA Security Tip Sheets
Free downloadable materials on phishing, passwords, MFA, software updates, AI safety and protecting older adults online.
FTC — Online Privacy & Security
Protect devices, accounts and personal information from online scams and identity theft.
SEC — Protect Financial Accounts From Phishing
Current guidance on phishing, smishing and voice phishing aimed at financial and investment accounts.
Social Security Identity-Protection Guide
Simple protective steps for Social Security numbers, devices, financial accounts and suspicious communications.
FTC Cybersecurity for Small Business
Free security guidance for protecting business data, email, networks, staff and customers.
Scam Prevention
Report a Scam & Start Recovering
If something already happened, speed matters. Contact the financial institution first when money was sent, preserve evidence, then use the appropriate official reporting channel.
FTC — ReportFraud
Report scams, deceptive businesses and fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.gov
Report identity theft and receive a personalized federal recovery plan.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
The FBI's central reporting system for internet-enabled fraud, scams, cybercrime and financial crime.
FBI IC3 — Victim Resources
Guidance on preserving evidence, protecting yourself after a loss and reducing the risk of revictimization.
CFPB — Fraud & Scam Help
Consumer-protection guidance on unauthorized transactions, identity theft and financial scams.
Social Security — Report a Scam
Report suspicious communications pretending to be Social Security or SSA Office of Inspector General.
IRS — If You Were Scammed
Steps for limiting financial and tax-identity damage after a scam and reporting tax-related fraud.
Medicare — Report Fraud & Abuse
Official reporting and recovery information for Medicare fraud and medical identity theft.
FCC — Unwanted Calls, Texts & Spoofing
Report unwanted calls, robotexts and caller-ID spoofing and learn how these schemes work.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Report mail fraud, fake package messages, sweepstakes scams, identity theft involving mail and related crimes.
Scam Prevention
Older Adults, Caregivers & Medicare
Older adults are frequently targeted with government impersonation, tech-support, romance, investment and recovery scams. These resources are designed to help families recognize and respond.
AARP Fraud Watch Network
Free fraud education, current alerts and guidance for people who think they or a family member may be targeted.
Department of Justice — Elder Justice
Federal elder-fraud prevention, reporting and victim-support information.
Medicare — Fraud & Abuse
Learn how to protect Medicare information and recognize medical identity theft and fraudulent billing.
Social Security Scam Awareness
Current warnings about fake badges, threats, impersonation, Social Security messages and government scams.
CFPB — Fraud & Scams
Consumer-protection resources including elder financial exploitation, impersonation, money-transfer fraud and identity theft.
Identity Theft Resource Center
Free assistance for identity-theft, fraud and scam victims and their families.
FTC — Pass It On
Plain-language scam education designed to be shared with family, friends, older adults and caregivers.
Scam Prevention
Businesses, Nonprofits & Organizations
Fraud also targets organizations through fake invoices, spoofed executives, compromised email, bogus grants, vendor impersonation and payment-transfer requests.
FTC — Scams and Your Small Business
Free guide covering fake invoices, government imposters, bogus grants, phishing, business coaching and tech-support scams.
FTC — Cybersecurity for Small Business
Guidance on phishing, backups, email authentication, remote access, network security and incident response.
FTC — Protecting Small Businesses
Central resource for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, customer data protection and breach response.
FBI — Business Email Compromise
Prevention guidance for fraudulent wire instructions, compromised business email and account-change requests.
IRS — 2026 Dirty Dozen
Current tax scams affecting individuals, businesses and tax professionals, including AI impersonation and spear phishing.
FBI IC3
Report cyber-enabled business fraud, compromised accounts, fraudulent transfers and other internet crime.
FTC — Business Impersonation Protection
Steps organizations can take to prevent criminals from spoofing their company identity and targeting customers.
Why This Matters to Me
Knowledge should be used to prevent harm.
My past is not the purpose of this page, but it is part of why this work matters to me. I know that choices I made harmed other people. Part of the responsibility I carry today is to use what I have learned to help people recognize manipulation earlier, protect their identity and money, and find trustworthy information before harm is done.
The complete record is available for anyone who wants the fuller context behind that journey and its connection to the work I choose to do now.
Read the Full Record