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Is this a scam?
For the call, text, email or message that feels off, and for anyone worried a parent or friend is being taken advantage of. Check it for red flags, know what to do in the next five minutes, and what to do if you already paid. It happens to careful, smart people, and it is never your fault.
Right now
- Stop. It’s always okay to hang up, close the message, or not answer.
- Don’t pay with gift cards, a wire transfer, crypto or cash, and don’t share a code sent to your phone, a password, or your Social Security number.
- Already paid? Call your bank, card company or payment app now, using the number on your card, and ask them to reverse it. Then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Someone threatening you or at your door? Call 911. Too much to bear? Call or text 988, any hour.
The four signs
Scams change all the time. These four things don’t.
More help
- Shaken up? Breathe for a minute, or read When panic hits.
- Worried about someone in other ways? When you’re worried about someone.
- An older adult being hurt or neglected at home? When home isn’t safe.
- Lost money you needed for food or rent? Call or text 211 for local help. In New York City, our checked list of food and shelter.
- All our free tools and Get help now.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). The steps follow the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer advice, and the phone numbers and websites were checked on each service’s own site, in September 2026. This page saves nothing: no account, no cookies, nothing you tick is stored or sent, and no analytics (privacy). Scarlet Beast is not a government agency and can’t investigate scams or recover money, and we will never contact you offering to. Found a mistake? Email [email protected].