The digital world has revolutionized how we bank and do business, but it has also created fertile ground for sophisticated scams. Fraudsters use high-pressure tactics, emotional manipulation, and impersonation to steal money and data. Knowing how to quickly identify the warning signs is your most powerful defense. If you ever feel a knot in your stomach about a call, text, or email, stop and run through this quick self-assessment checklist.

The number one tactic criminals use is creating Immediate Panic and Urgency. Whether they impersonate a government agency (like the IRS), a utility company threatening to cut power, or even a bank’s fraud department, the goal is to prevent you from thinking clearly or consulting a family member or colleague. This manufactured stress is a red flag.

The second major tactic is the Demand for Specific, Untraceable Payment. Legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers sent to unknown individuals. If a caller insists that paying immediately with gift cards is the only way to clear up a tax debt or release a prize, you are absolutely being scammed.

To give you a structured way to fight back against these tactics, use this checklist. If you answer "Yes" to any of the questions below, it is most likely a scam.

The Scam Assessment Checklist

Cash Withdrawals
Is the purpose of this transaction to purchase gift cards, send funds via mail, or through a Bitcoin ATM?

Remote Access & Computer Pop-Ups
Have you responded to any pop-ups on your computer or recently given someone remote access?

Received Suspicious Funds
Have you received funds in your account and were told to return a portion of it?

Family Emergency Scams
Has a family member recently contacted you saying they were arrested or in an accident and need immediate funds?

Law Enforcement Impersonation
Did you receive a call from someone claiming to be law enforcement or a financial institution, asking you to withdraw money for safety or investigation purposes?

Prize or Lottery Scams
Have you won a prize and been asked to pay a fee to claim it?

Secrecy Requests
Were you told by someone to keep this transaction a secret, or were given specific instructions on what to say?

Government Impersonation
Is a supposed government entity threatening action if you don’t pay them?

Gift Card Scams
Are you being asked to purchase gift cards for payment? (gift cards are for gifts, not for payments)

Excess Payment Scams
Have you sold something, received a check/wire for more than the amount, and been asked to return the excess funds?

Family/Friend Impersonation on Social Media
Have you received a social media message from a friend or family member asking for financial assistance but haven’t confirmed it in person?

IRS or Government Calls for Payment
Has the IRS or another agency called to demand immediate payment for unpaid taxes?

Work-from-Home/Secret Shopper Offers
Is this transaction related to a work-from-home, secret shopper, or online loan application?

Urgency & Threats
Have you been told this transaction must be completed today, or received threats regarding it?

Unexpected Large Withdrawals
Are you being asked to make an unusually large cash withdrawal, or threatened into making it?

Romance Scams
Have you been befriended by someone that you have not met in person that is requesting that you send them money?

Conclusion

If you find yourself questioning whether something is real, stop the interaction completely. Do not click links, do not reply, and do not provide any information. Instead, use the organization’s official, publicly available phone number or website to call them back or contact them and independently verify the story. Your financial security depends on your willingness to pause and question everything.

Click here for the convenient Scam Assessment Checklist that you can print and save to keep handy if needed.