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Spot a money scam before you pay

Pause a suspicious request before sending money or revealing account details.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Stop the pressure
  2. Verify through a separate route
  3. Ask one trusted person
  4. If money or information was sent
  5. Watch for a second approach
  6. Check the recipient, not just the displayed name
  7. If you already sent money, act in this order
  8. Protect yourself from the next contact
  9. Sources and more help

1Stop the pressure

Pause if someone demands secrecy, immediate payment, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a transfer to keep your money safe. Do not share a PIN, password or security code.

2Verify through a separate route

End the call or close the message. Find the organization's number on a trusted statement or official website you reach yourself. Do not use the number or link the caller supplied.

3Ask one trusted person

Describe the request without sharing passwords. Example: A caller says a benefit will stop unless you buy gift cards today. Pause and contact the actual agency independently before paying.

4If money or information was sent

Contact the bank or payment company immediately through its official channel. Explain what happened and ask whether it can stop or reverse the transaction; recovery is not guaranteed. Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov if identity information was exposed.

5Watch for a second approach

Someone promising to recover lost money for an upfront fee may be another scammer.
Today: Save your bank's official contact number somewhere you can find it quickly.
If already scammed, follow the immediate-response steps below.

6Check the recipient, not just the displayed name

A caller ID, logo, payment-app profile picture or familiar name can be copied. Confirm requests using a number you already trust, especially if a relative suddenly wants payment to a new account.
Before sending, check the recipient details and purpose. Do not make a "test payment" to a suspicious stranger; a small successful payment does not prove the request is honest. Never let a caller remotely control your phone to fix a bank problem.

7If you already sent money, act in this order

  1. Contact the bank, card issuer or payment app immediately through its official channel. Explain whether you authorized the transfer because of a scam or whether someone used the account without permission; those situations can have different protections.
  2. Ask about stopping or reversing the payment and securing access. Save the transaction reference and messages. Recovery is not guaranteed.
  3. Change exposed passwords from a trusted device and contact other affected account providers.
  4. Report fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. Use https://www.identitytheft.gov/ if identity information was misused. Keep a copy of the report; a report alone does not reverse a payment.

8Protect yourself from the next contact

Do not send a fee to someone promising recovery, loan approval or government help. A legitimate-looking website is not enough proof. Call the real organization using an independently found number.
If you want help reading the messages, show a trusted helper a copy with security codes and account details covered. Never put financial credentials into this site's public correction form.

9Sources and more help

Reviewed November 1, 2026. General money education; individual circumstances differ.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed

More help like this

Was scammed or had their identity stolenUse when someone lost money to a scam, someone used their name or card, or they are getting threatening calls about money.Needs help filing taxes or getting a tax refundUse when someone needs free help filing taxes, or may get money back from tax credits even with little or no income.Behind on debts, payday loans, or getting calls from debt collectorsUse when someone is overwhelmed by debt, has payday or title loans, or debt collectors are calling or suing.Federal checks went electronic: set up Direct Express or direct depositUse when someone gets Social Security, SSI, VA or another federal payment and still got paper checks, lost a check, or has no bank account. Since Sept 30, 2025 most federal payments must go to a bank account or a Direct Express card.Money basics: choose a starting pointStart here for budgets, bills, banking, saving and debt. No paid app or bank account is needed.Not enough money to get through the monthUse when food, medicine, housing or transportation money will run out before the next payment.

See all guides in Money and benefits →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.