WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission is urging people to prepare for potential scams by using a new resource designed to help them slow down, think clearly, and verify information before responding to suspicious messages or calls. According to reports, the tool, titled How I’ll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan, focuses on the common tactics scammers use to pressure victims into acting quickly.
The agency notes that scammers often claim a person owes the government money, pretend to represent a bank and warn that an account has been hacked, allege that a family member is experiencing an emergency, or insist that a computer has a virus.
The intent, according to the FTC, is to create panic and rush individuals into handing over money or personal information before they have time to think or check the facts. The Action Plan guides people to write down the names of trusted contacts such as relatives, friends, or neighbors who can help them evaluate unexpected situations. The FTC says talking through an alarming message with someone trustworthy can help reveal signs that something is not right.
The resource also directs users to gather accurate contact information for companies they regularly do business with, including banks, credit card companies, and online retailers. Keeping this information easily accessible allows people to reach legitimate customer service departments if they suspect a problem with an account. The FTC encourages individuals to keep their action plan on a refrigerator, near a phone, or by a computer for quick use. The agency also encourages people to help others create their own plans by sharing copies with family members, coworkers, neighbors, churches, libraries, and community centers. Free copies can be ordered through the FTC, and suspected scams can be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
