Three Scam-Busting Words You Should Know

It’s 2024. If you haven't already, it's time to commit to being more fraud aware this year. Scammers, like clockwork, will be on the prowl looking to steal your money or sensitive information. Resolve to remember and put into action these three words:

• Stop.
• Think.
• Verify.

Criminal scammers need one thing to be successful. They need to get their victims into a heightened emotional state to take immediate action—many experts call this frame of mind as "being in the ether.” Once someone is either so scared or excited, they are motivated to take action quickly and can miss the warning signs of a scam.

This is where the three words can help. Before making any sudden decision involving money or personal information, stop by disengaging from the call, text or email. Once you have pressed "pause," think about how this situation or opportunity got put in front of you. Is it logical? Does it make sense?

Even if you think it might be legitimate, take the time to verify it on your own by contacting the source through other means—not the phone number or link that was sent to you.

These three simple words could save you and your family a lot of money and emotional trauma going forward. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.