10-Point Daily Scam Prevention Checklist
Daily Habits to Protect Yourself - Simple daily practices that create strong defenses against all types of scams and fraud.
Essential Protection Guide
This comprehensive list provides detailed insights into recognizing and protecting yourself from prevention related scams. Each item includes specific warning signs, protection strategies, and actionable advice.
Check Your Account Statements and Alerts Daily
Review bank, credit card, and financial account activity every day. Set up alerts for all transactions so you're notified immediately of any unauthorized activity.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Ignoring small unauthorized charges
- •Only checking statements monthly
- •Not having transaction alerts set up
- •Assuming small charges are errors
- •Delaying investigation of suspicious activity
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Check all financial accounts every morning
- ✓Set up text/email alerts for all transactions over $1
- ✓Investigate any unfamiliar charges immediately
- ✓Use mobile banking apps for real-time monitoring
- ✓Report suspicious activity within 24 hours
Verify Before You Trust Any Unexpected Contact
Always independently verify the identity of anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, whether by phone, email, text, or social media, before providing any information.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Providing information to unverified callers
- •Clicking links in unexpected emails
- •Trusting caller ID information
- •Assuming official-looking communications are legitimate
- •Not taking time to verify urgent requests
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Hang up and call back using official numbers
- ✓Look up contact information independently
- ✓Ask for callback numbers and reference numbers
- ✓Take time to verify even with urgent requests
- ✓When in doubt, assume it's a scam until verified
Keep Your Personal Information Private
Protect your Social Security number, passwords, account numbers, and personal details. Only share sensitive information when you initiate contact with verified organizations.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Sharing SSN over unsolicited phone calls
- •Posting personal information on social media
- •Using the same password for multiple accounts
- •Carrying sensitive information in unsecured ways
- •Not shredding documents with personal information
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Never give SSN or passwords to incoming callers
- ✓Use strong, unique passwords for each account
- ✓Shred documents containing personal information
- ✓Review and adjust social media privacy settings
- ✓Only share sensitive information when you initiate contact
Stay Informed About Current Scam Tactics
Spend a few minutes each week learning about new scam tactics. Subscribe to scam alerts and read about emerging threats to stay ahead of scammers.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Assuming you know all current scam tactics
- •Not staying updated on new fraud methods
- •Thinking you're too smart to be fooled
- •Ignoring scam warnings from others
- •Not sharing scam information with family
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Subscribe to FTC scam alerts and newsletters
- ✓Read about new scam tactics weekly
- ✓Share scam warnings with friends and family
- ✓Stay humble - scammers target everyone
- ✓Learn from others' experiences and mistakes
Use Secure Payment Methods When Possible
Choose payment methods that offer protection and can be reversed if necessary. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency for transactions with unfamiliar parties.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Using untraceable payment methods for purchases
- •Sending money via wire transfer to unknown recipients
- •Paying with gift cards for services or fees
- •Using cash for online or remote transactions
- •Not keeping receipts for transactions
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Use credit cards for online and phone purchases
- ✓Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto for unknown parties
- ✓Keep receipts and transaction confirmations
- ✓Use secure payment platforms with buyer protection
- ✓Be suspicious of anyone demanding untraceable payments
Maintain Updated Security Software
Keep your computer, phone, and other devices updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software. Enable automatic updates when possible.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Running outdated operating systems
- •Not having antivirus software installed
- •Ignoring security update notifications
- •Downloading software from untrusted sources
- •Not backing up important data regularly
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Enable automatic security updates on all devices
- ✓Install reputable antivirus software and keep it updated
- ✓Only download software from official sources
- ✓Regularly backup important data
- ✓Be cautious of pop-ups claiming security issues
Double-Check URLs and Email Addresses
Before clicking links or responding to emails, carefully examine web addresses and sender information. Look for misspellings and suspicious domains.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Clicking links without checking destinations
- •Not noticing misspelled domain names
- •Trusting emails that look official
- •Not verifying sender email addresses
- •Ignoring browser security warnings
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Hover over links to see actual destinations before clicking
- ✓Look for misspellings in email addresses and URLs
- ✓Type web addresses directly instead of clicking links
- ✓Pay attention to browser security warnings
- ✓Be suspicious of urgent emails requesting action
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Opportunities
Question any unexpected offers, investments, prizes, or opportunities that come to you unsolicited. Legitimate opportunities rarely seek you out randomly.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Getting excited about unsolicited opportunities
- •Not researching offers thoroughly
- •Believing in exclusive deals for random people
- •Acting quickly on limited-time offers
- •Not questioning why you were selected
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Be suspicious of any unsolicited offer
- ✓Research companies and opportunities thoroughly
- ✓Ask why you were selected for exclusive deals
- ✓Take time to think about offers, even urgent ones
- ✓Consult trusted friends or advisors about opportunities
Trust Your Instincts and Ask Questions
If something feels wrong or too good to be true, trust that feeling. Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to seem suspicious or rude.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Ignoring gut feelings about suspicious situations
- •Being too polite to ask probing questions
- •Accepting explanations that don't make sense
- •Feeling pressured to make quick decisions
- •Not wanting to seem suspicious or rude
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Trust your instincts when something feels wrong
- ✓Ask detailed questions about offers and opportunities
- ✓Don't worry about being polite to potential scammers
- ✓Take time to think even when pressured
- ✓Remember that legitimate businesses welcome questions
Have a Support Network for Decision-Making
Maintain relationships with trusted friends, family, or advisors who can provide objective advice about financial decisions and suspicious situations.
🚩 Warning Signs
- •Making all financial decisions alone
- •Not having anyone to discuss suspicious situations with
- •Keeping financial matters completely private
- •Not seeking advice on major financial decisions
- •Isolating yourself from family and friends
✅ Protection Tips
- ✓Identify trusted people you can call for advice
- ✓Discuss major financial decisions with trusted advisors
- ✓Don't be embarrassed to ask for help with suspicious situations
- ✓Maintain social connections with friends and family
- ✓Have multiple people you can turn to for different types of advice
📧 Stay Protected
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