Pause. Reflect. Protect.

Keeping up with the latest scams and all the red flags that warn us of each one is exhausting. Scams constantly evolve, and each comes with its own red flags to remember. But some warning signs apply to a wide range of scams, and recognizing them can help you to react safely.

Most scams come at us with three elements: unexpected contact, a surge of emotion, and a sense of urgency. Together, these elements form a “trigger” for a safe response. Many of us learned as children that if our clothing caught fire (the trigger), our response should be to “stop, drop, and roll.” The safe response for scams is to take an “active pause.” The active pause is a deliberate act that allows us to move away from an emotional response and engage with logic.

With the active pause, we can reflect on what we might know about the situation confronting us. Is this something I have heard about before? Does the scenario make sense? Is there some way I can verify the communication? In the end, the active pause can help us recognize the scam and protect our money and sensitive information.

Know the triggers, know the response: Pause. Reflect. Protect.

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

 With about 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50-plus and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about how AARP Virginia is working in your community, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.X.com/aarpva.

 

 AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.