Scams are increasingly sophisticated. Awareness is your best defense.
Common warning signs
- Urgent requests for money or personal information
- Requests to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Calls or emails claiming to be from government agencies or banks
- Messages that create fear or pressure you to act quickly
Practical steps to protect yourself
- Pause before responding. Scammers rely on urgency
- Verify independently. Call the organization using a known number
- Do not share personal or financial information unless you initiated the contact
- Use call screening and spam filters when possible
If something feels off, trust that instinct.
It is always appropriate to hang up, delete the message, or ask a trusted family member for input.
