Practical guide
Avoid common payment and impersonation scams
Pause when an unexpected caller or message demands urgent payment, secrecy, account access, a gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or payment app.
Key takeaways
Start with the answer
- Verify the person or organization through contact information you find independently; do not use the link, phone number, or caller ID supplied in the demand.
- First step: Stop the conversation and do not send money or verification codes.
- Funds shown from a deposited check can later be reversed. Never send part of a check payment back to an unknown person.
The short answer
Verify the person or organization through contact information you find independently; do not use the link, phone number, or caller ID supplied in the demand.
What to know before you act
Verify the person or organization through contact information you find independently; do not use the link, phone number, or caller ID supplied in the demand.
Federal guidance is a starting point. State agencies, local offices, plan documents, contracts, and individual notices may add rules or deadlines. Use the official links on this page to verify the current requirement that applies to you.
A practical next-step checklist
Work through these steps in order. Keep copies of confirmations, notices, and the date you contacted an agency or company.
- Stop the conversation and do not send money or verification codes.
- Contact the real organization through an official website, statement, or card.
- If money was sent, contact the payment company immediately and report the incident through official channels.
Pause and get qualified help when needed
Funds shown from a deposited check can later be reversed. Never send part of a check payment back to an unknown person.
Do not send personal identifiers through an unofficial website or to someone who contacted you unexpectedly. For a disputed deadline, denial, safety issue, or legal consequence, use the responsible agency or a qualified professional rather than relying on a general guide.
Primary sources
Verify with the responsible agency
- FTC — How to avoid a scamregulator
- FDIC — GetBankedregulator
How this page was made
This page was drafted with AI assistance, edited for plain language, and checked against the official sources listed above. Source review confirms that the cited pages support this general starting point; it is not expert review or personalized advice. See the editorial policy and corrections process.