Keep your money.
Is this a scam?
Answer 10 quick questions about the call, message, or person you're dealing with. You'll get a plain read on the warning signs and who to call for help. Nothing you enter leaves this page.
Built by a retired financial crimes detective with over 20 years of experience.
The Scam Cop is a free educational tool, not a police department or government agency. By using it you agree to the disclaimer below.
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. La prueba de estafa y los recursos de ayuda están en español.
Common scams right now
The scams hitting people most often, how they start, and the giveaway sign. Updated monthly.
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. La prueba de estafa y los recursos de ayuda están en español.
Protect yourself
Four habits that stop most scams and identity theft before they start.
Freeze your credit
A credit freeze stops anyone, including scammers, from opening new credit cards or loans in your name. It's free by federal law, it doesn't hurt your credit score, and you can lift it any time you need to apply for credit.
- Contact all three credit bureaus. A freeze at one doesn't cover the others.
- Create an account or PIN with each one and save it somewhere safe. You'll need it to lift the freeze later.
- Lift it temporarily when you apply for a loan, credit card, or apartment, then it goes back on.
- Never pay for a freeze. If a site asks for a credit card, you've landed on a paid upsell. Freezing is free.
Type these addresses in yourself or use the links here. Scammers buy search ads that look like the bureaus.
Keep your identity secure
- Use a different strong password for every account, especially email and banking. A password manager makes this easy.
- Turn on two-step verification for your email, bank, and phone carrier accounts.
- Set up account alerts with your bank and cards so you get a text for every charge or withdrawal.
- Add a PIN to your phone carrier account to block someone from moving your number to their phone.
- Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN at irs.gov so no one can file a tax return in your name.
- Check your credit reports for free at annualcreditreport.com and look for accounts you don't recognize.
- Keep phones and computers updated, and don't click links in unexpected texts or emails.
Shred documents
Identity thieves still go through trash and recycling. Shred anything with your name plus a number on it before you throw it out. A cross-cut shredder is best.
- Bank and credit card statements
- Pre-approved credit offers
- Medical bills and insurance papers
- Old tax returns past 7 years
- Pay stubs
- Expired cards and IDs
- Receipts with card numbers
- Anything with your Social Security number
Many banks and local governments host free community shred days. Opting out of pre-approved credit offers at optoutprescreen.com also cuts down the mail worth stealing.
Don't give out personal info over the phone
If someone calls you, you can't know who they really are. Caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often already know a few details about you to sound believable.
- Never give your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, or PINs to someone who called you.
- Never read back a verification code. That code is the key to your account.
- Don't confirm details they "already have" like your birthday or address. That's how they fill in the gaps.
- Hang up and call back using the number on your card, statement, or the organization's official website.
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller will leave a message.
Say this, then hang up:
"I don't give out information on calls I didn't make. I'll call the number on my card."
Fridge card
Print this card and put it on the fridge or by the phone, for yourself or a parent. Fill in the bank's number and a trusted person before you hang it up.
STOP. THINK. DON'T PANIC.
Before you send money to anyone, ask:
- Did they contact me first?
- Are they rushing or scaring me?
- Do they want gift cards, crypto, a crypto ATM, a wire, or cash picked up?
- Did they tell me to keep it secret?
If the answer to any is yes: hang up and call someone you trust.
Take the free scam test at thescamcop.com · © 2026 The Scam Cop
DETÉNGASE. PIENSE. NO SE ASUSTE.
Antes de enviarle dinero a alguien, pregúntese:
- ¿Me contactaron ellos primero?
- ¿Me están apurando o asustando?
- ¿Quieren tarjetas de regalo, criptomonedas, un cajero de criptomonedas, una transferencia o que entregue efectivo?
- ¿Me pidieron que lo mantenga en secreto?
Si alguna respuesta es sí: cuelgue y llame a alguien de confianza.
Haga la prueba gratuita en thescamcop.com · © 2026 The Scam Cop
Printing works once the site is live on thescamcop.com.
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. La prueba de estafa y los recursos de ayuda están en español.
Reviews
What people say about The Scam Cop. Did the test help you or someone you love? Tell others below.
Rate The Scam Cop
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. La prueba de estafa y los recursos de ayuda están en español.
Contact
Questions, feedback, a scam you want others warned about, or interest in bringing The Scam Cop to your organization. We read every message.
This form is the only way to reach The Scam Cop. If you'd like a reply, include your email address above. We'll only reply to messages you send us. We will never ask you for money or personal information.
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. Puede imprimir el volante en español con el selector de idioma del volante.
For banks and credit unions
A free flyer for your branches. Post it at teller windows, drive-throughs, and near ATMs, or hand it to a customer when a withdrawal, wire, or transfer doesn't look right. It sends them to a 2-minute scam test before the money leaves.
Make your flyer
Add your institution's name and fraud line so customers know who to call. Both are optional, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Printing works once the site is live on thescamcop.com. Prints on standard letter paper, in color or black and white.
Is someone telling you to move this money?
Before you finish this transaction, take a 2-minute scam test.
Scammers rush people into sending money before anyone can ask questions. A few minutes now could save your savings.
1. Scan the code with your phone camera, or visit thescamcop.com
2. Answer 10 quick yes-or-no questions
3. See your result and who to call for help
Free. No sign-up. Your answers stay on your phone.
Stop and ask us first if someone:
- Told you to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, or wire money
- Asked you to use a Bitcoin or crypto ATM
- Told you to lie to the bank or keep this secret
- Says they're the IRS, police, Medicare, or our fraud department
- Is sending a courier to pick up cash
- Met you online and needs money, or promises big investment returns
You're not in trouble, and it's never rude to pause. We would rather help you check than see you lose your money.
The Scam Cop is a free, independent educational tool built by a retired financial crimes detective. It is not a law enforcement agency and is not affiliated with this financial institution. In an emergency, call 911. © 2026 The Scam Cop. All rights reserved.
¿Alguien le está diciendo que mueva este dinero?
Antes de terminar esta transacción, haga una prueba de estafa de 2 minutos.
Los estafadores apuran a las personas para que envíen dinero antes de que alguien pueda hacer preguntas. Unos minutos ahora podrían salvar sus ahorros.
1. Escanee el código con la cámara de su teléfono o visite thescamcop.com
2. Toque Español y responda 10 preguntas rápidas de sí o no
3. Vea su resultado y a quién llamar para pedir ayuda
Gratis. Sin registrarse. Sus respuestas se quedan en su teléfono.
Deténgase y pregúntenos primero si alguien:
- Le dijo que retire efectivo, compre tarjetas de regalo o haga una transferencia
- Le pidió usar un cajero de Bitcoin o criptomonedas
- Le dijo que le mienta al banco o que lo mantenga en secreto
- Dice ser del IRS, la policía, Medicare o nuestro departamento de fraude
- Va a enviar a un mensajero a recoger efectivo
- Lo conoció por internet y necesita dinero, o promete grandes ganancias
Usted no está en problemas y nunca es descortés hacer una pausa. Preferimos ayudarle a verificar antes que verlo perder su dinero.
The Scam Cop es una herramienta educativa gratuita e independiente, creada por un detective retirado de delitos financieros. No es una agencia policial y no está afiliada a esta institución financiera. En una emergencia, llame al 911. © 2026 The Scam Cop. Todos los derechos reservados.
How staff can use it
- Hand it over, don't accuse. Try: "Before we finish, would you take two minutes with this? We give it to everyone moving larger amounts."
- Watch for the classic signs: a customer on the phone while transacting, reading from a script, unusually large cash withdrawals, requests for crypto or wires to strangers, or a sudden rush.
- Give them space. Scammers often tell victims that bank staff are part of the problem. Calm, patient help works better than pushing.
- Follow your institution's procedures for suspected fraud and elder financial exploitation, including escalation and reporting.
Want more?
The Scam Cop offers fraud-prevention training for front-line staff, a version of the scam test with your branding for your website, and co-branded materials. All are led by a retired financial crimes detective with over 20 years of experience fighting financial fraud.
Using the free flyer does not mean your institution is endorsed by or affiliated with The Scam Cop, or that The Scam Cop is affiliated with your institution.
Esta sección está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. La prueba de estafa y los recursos de ayuda están en español.
Why I built The Scam Cop
I'm doing this because scam victims lost more than $20.9 billion to fraud in 2025. I'm tired of seeing people lose generational wealth to scammers.
Scammers win by making you panic. They rush you, scare you, and tell you not to talk to anyone. A few minutes of slowing down is often all it takes to break the spell.
Take the scam test. It only takes a couple of minutes, and it could save you from losing your life savings.
Who's behind this
- A retired financial crimes detective with over 20 years of experience fighting financial fraud.
- A fraud prevention trainer who teaches bank staff, police departments, senior advocacy groups, and senior living communities how scams work and how to stop them.
- The author of every question in the scam test, based on the patterns that show up again and again in real fraud cases.
I don't put my name on this site. The focus belongs on protecting you. The Scam Cop is a private, independent project and is not run by or affiliated with any police department, bank, or government agency.
Our promise to you
The Scam Cop will never call, text, or email you out of the blue. We will never ask you to send money, buy gift cards, or share passwords, codes, or bank details. Anyone who does is not us.
If someone contacts you claiming to be from The Scam Cop, hang up and report it through our Contact page.
Warning signs you reported
What to do now
Who to call
US resources. All are free. Tap a number to copy it.
Work at a bank or credit union? Get a free flyer for your branch
Our promise: The Scam Cop will never call, text, or email you out of the blue. We will never ask you to send money, buy gift cards, or share passwords, codes, or bank details. Anyone who does is not us.
Disclaimer and terms of use
Resumen en español. The Scam Cop ofrece información educativa general. No es asesoría legal ni financiera, y no es un departamento de policía ni una agencia del gobierno. Los resultados se basan solo en sus respuestas y pueden estar equivocados. Usted es responsable de sus decisiones. Sus respuestas a la prueba no salen de su navegador. Si está en peligro, llame al 911. El texto completo en inglés aparece a continuación y es la versión que rige. © 2026 The Scam Cop. Todos los derechos reservados. No se permite copiar, reproducir ni usar el contenido de este sitio sin permiso por escrito, salvo compartir el enlace e imprimir el volante y la tarjeta para uso educativo gratuito.
Educational information only. The Scam Cop provides general information about common scam warning signs. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from your bank, an attorney, or law enforcement.
Not law enforcement. The Scam Cop is a private website. It is not a police department, government agency, or law enforcement body, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the organizations listed in the resources section.
No guarantee of accuracy. Results are based only on your answers to a short checklist and may be wrong. A low-risk result does not mean a situation is safe, and a high-risk result does not prove that fraud occurred or that any person or business acted unlawfully. Scams change constantly and many will not match these questions.
Your decisions are your own. You are solely responsible for any action you take or don't take based on this tool. Always verify independently by contacting organizations through phone numbers or websites you find yourself.
Limitation of liability. This site is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the owners and operators of The Scam Cop are not liable for any loss or damage, including financial loss, arising from your use of or reliance on this site or its results.
Third-party resources. Phone numbers, hours, and links for outside organizations are provided for convenience and may change. We are not responsible for their services or content.
Privacy. Your scam test answers are processed in your own browser and are not sent to or stored by this site. Reviews and messages you choose to submit are sent to The Scam Cop by email and stored by our hosting provider. We use them only to respond to you and, with your permission, to display your review. We do not sell your information.
Reviews. Reviews are submitted by visitors and reflect their own experiences. We check reviews before posting to remove spam, abuse, and personal information, not based on their rating.
Emergencies. If you are in danger or being threatened, call 911.
Copyright and permitted use. © 2026 The Scam Cop. All rights reserved. All content on this site, including the scam test questions, scoring method, text, design, graphics, logo, flyer, and fridge card, is owned by The Scam Cop and protected by United States and international copyright law. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from any part of this site, including for use on another website, app, or in paid training, without prior written permission. The Scam Cop name and logo may not be used without permission.
What you may do. You may link to and share this site freely. Banks, credit unions, community groups, and individuals may print and hand out the flyer and fridge card for free, non-commercial educational use, as long as they are not changed other than filling in the spaces provided. For any other use, ask for permission through our Contact page.
This checklist spots common scam patterns. It can't prove something is or isn't a scam. When in doubt, contact the company or person directly using a number you look up yourself, not one they gave you.
© 2026 The Scam Cop. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be copied, reproduced, or used without written permission. See the terms of use.