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Fluent · Handout

Scams and fraud: United States.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United Kingdom · Canada · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Fluent

Scams and fraud: United States

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/scams-and-fraud

Every scam ends with a request to move money or share a code, and that is the moment to stop. This sheet has the warning signs, the first-hour steps, and where to report where you live.

The habit

  • Stop, hang up, and call back on a number you already have
  • Check new bank details by phone before you pay
  • Never read out a code you didn’t ask for

Warning signs

  • Contact out of the blue, with urgency or secrecy
  • A “safe account”, or new bank details
  • Guaranteed high returns, or fees to withdraw
  • Someone met online who needs money

The first hour

  • Stop paying, and call your bank on the number on your card
  • Change passwords you gave away, and keep the evidence
  • Report it to the police and the services below
  • Watch for recovery offers, and tell someone you trust

Signs of identity theft

  • Transactions or accounts you don’t recognize
  • Bills or debt letters for things you didn’t buy
  • Refused credit you would expect to get

In the United States

  • Report fraud. Report fraud, scams and bad business practices to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report internet and cyber-enabled crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), even if you’re unsure whether it qualifies.
  • Recovery offers. IC3 will never contact you directly for information or money, and doesn’t work with law firms or crypto services to get lost funds back.
  • Identity theft. IdentityTheft.gov, from the FTC, lets you report identity theft and get a recovery plan. Freezing your credit file is free by law, and you contact each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies separately.
  • Act fast on unauthorized transactions. For a debit card or other electronic transfer you didn’t make or allow, reporting a lost card or stolen PIN within two business days limits what you can be held responsible for. Report unauthorized transactions within 60 days of the statement that shows them; the bank then generally has ten business days to investigate.
  • Older and vulnerable people. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests contacting your local adult protective services agency if the victim is an older person or a person with a disability.

Official places to check:

  • Federal Trade Commission: reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation: www.ic3.gov
  • Federal Trade Commission: www.identitytheft.gov
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-my-money-back-after-i-discover-an-unauthorized-transaction-or-money-missing-from-my-bank-account-en-1017
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/fluent/scams-and-fraud