The Individual Scam Survival Kit

If you remember one thing

Real organizations never ask you to move money to "keep it safe", pay in gift cards, or send crypto to "verify" anything. Ever.

The big six in 2026

• Tech support — popup or call from "Microsoft / your bank fraud team"
• Government impersonation — IRS, Social Security, police "warrant"
• Romance + investment — long online relationship → crypto platform
• Family emergency — voice-cloned grandkid in trouble
• Marketplace — overpaid check, fake buyer, refund-request scams
• Recovery — scammers contacting victims promising to recover lost funds

A 60-second response protocol

1. Stop talking. Hang up. Don't reply. Step away from the screen
2. Wait 10 minutes — urgency is the scammer's only weapon
3. Call back on a number from a separate source — your bank statement, the back of your card, the company's official website you typed in fresh
4. Loop in a trusted person — spouse, adult child, friend. Saying it out loud breaks the spell
5. If money has already moved — call your bank immediately, then file with police and IC3

Protect your family

• Pre-share a family code word for emergencies. Voice clones can't guess it
• Freeze your credit at all three bureaus (free in the US)
• Lock SIM-swap protection with your mobile carrier
• Set a call-screening rule: unknown numbers go to voicemail
• Talk to elders specifically about romance, IRS, and tech-support scams — and never shame them. Shame is what keeps victims silent.

We're here if you need us

Free initial guidance is one click away on the Contact page. If money has already moved, our 24/7 recovery hotline is the fastest path to a bank hold.