A scam checklist for the fridge door.

Stop if any of these are true

• They say they are from my bank, the police, the tax office or a company I use
• There is a problem — I owe money, my account is locked, a parcel is stuck — or I have won something
• They want me to act right now, stay on the line or keep it secret
• They tell me how to pay: gift cards, cryptocurrency, a bank transfer or a payment app
• They ask for a code, a password, my card details or to see my screen
• A family member messages from a new number and needs money

Then verify — without using their details

Hang up or close the message. Contact the person or organisation yourself, using a number on your card or bill, a saved contact or the official app — and, if you can, a different phone, because a scammer can keep a landline open after you hang up. A real bank, company or relative will still be there when you call back.

My five rules

1. I never read out a one-time code or a password to anyone who contacts me.
2. I never move money to a ‘safe account’ — real banks do not ask for this.
3. I never pay anyone with gift cards.
4. I never let a caller install an app or control my computer or phone.
5. I hang up and call back on a number I already have — never one they give me.

Numbers I trust

My bankthe number on the back of my card

Someone I can call before I paya family member or friend

Where to report a scamsee stopandverify.com/report-a-scam