Scammers are skilled at creating urgency — “Your bank account is compromised,” “Your grandchild is in trouble,” “You owe taxes and will be arrested,” or “We need your code to verify your identity.” Their goal is to get you to act quickly before you have time to think.

The most powerful protection is surprisingly simple: PAUSE and VERIFY.

Before you give information, click a link, buy gift cards, or move money, take a breath and confirm the situation using a trusted source (like the phone number on the back of your card — not the one they provided).

Common scam red flags to watch for:

• Urgency or threats: “Act now,” “don’t tell anyone,” “you’ll be arrested,” “your account will be closed.”
• Unusual payment methods: gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or cash pick-ups. (Huge red flag.)
• Requests for codes: If someone asks for a verification code texted to you, they may be trying to access your account.
• “Looks real” messages: Emails/texts can mimic banks, Amazon, USPS, Medicare, or even family members.

A simple plan that works:

1. STOP — Don’t respond immediately. Don’t click. Don’t send money.
2. SWITCH — Contact the company using a verified number (bank card, official website, or a saved contact).
3. SHARE — Tell a trusted person what happened. Scammers rely on secrecy and embarrassment.

Local + National Resources Worth Saving Now (before you need them):

• Ohio Attorney General (Older Adults + Scam Advisories): resources on elder fraud, financial exploitation, and scam warnings.
• AARP Fraud Watch Network: scam library, scam-tracking map, and a helpline you can call for guidance.
• IRS scam verification: how to tell if it’s really the IRS and where to report suspicious messages.
• Ohio Department of Aging scam info: helpful overview and reminders on identity protection.