FTC ALERT: Scammers Use Pressure, Fear and Convincing False Stories to Trick You

FTC Encourages Americans to Create a Personal Action Plan to Avoid Scams

(FTC) – Scammers use pressure, fear, and convincing stories to trick people into acting quickly, and the Federal Trade Commission is urging everyone to be prepared with a simple plan that can stop a scam before it starts.

Scammers rely on fear and urgency to trick people into giving up money or personal information.

They may claim you owe the government money, pretend to be your bank warning about a hacked account, insist a family member is in trouble, or say your computer is infected. No matter the story, the goal is the same.

They want you to panic and act before you have time to think, verify the situation, or speak to someone you trust.

To help people slow down and protect themselves, the Federal Trade Commission has introduced a new resource called How I’ll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan. The tool guides individuals in creating a personalized list of trusted contacts, friends, neighbors, or family members, who can help talk through suspicious situations. Reaching out to someone you trust can often reveal red flags you might have missed in the moment.

The plan also encourages listing direct contact information for companies you regularly interact with, such as banks, credit card providers, and online retailers. Having these details readily available makes it easier to check on your accounts without responding to a suspicious call, text, or email.

The FTC recommends keeping your action plan somewhere visible, like on your refrigerator or near your phone or computer, and helping others in your life do the same.

The agency encourages communities to share the resource with loved ones, colleagues, neighbors, and through local gathering places such as libraries, churches, and community centers.

Free copies of the action plan are available through the FTC, and anyone who encounters a potential scam is urged to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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