Nearly three in four Americans have experienced a scam or fraud attempt, according to a 2026 House Financial Services report on financial fraud and scams. Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics, but many fraud attempts continue to start with the same warning signs. When you know the signs of a scam, you have more power to protect your information and your money. These are typical tactics of many fraudsters:
Unexpected contact – Scammers send phishing messages pretending to be your bank, a business, or a government organization.
Urgent demands – Legitimate organizations will never use scare tactics, threats, or high-pressure language to get you to act quickly.
Pressure to move money – Be cautious if you receive unusual instructions to protect your money.
Instructions to keep it a secret – Before you send any money, talk about it with a family member or friend.
For more tips, videos, and an interactive quiz to find out what kind of “Scam Slayer” you are, visit BanksNeverAskThat.com. Be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family – the more Scam Slayers, the better.
