Scams decoded in 60 seconds
Spot the scam before it costs you.
Short, plain videos that show how today's scams work: the texts, calls and emails your family gets every week. No jargon. No panic. Just what to check, and what to do.
The Doubt First Family Checklist
10 rules that stop most scams, on one printable page. Plus a cut-out card for your family safe word.
- Stick it on the fridge
- Go through it with your parents
- Free: it arrives in your inbox in a minute
No spam. I'll never ask you for money or personal details. Unsubscribe in one click. Privacy
The method
Three steps for any message you're not sure about
They work on texts, emails, calls and pop-ups. They even work when the scam looks perfect.
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Pause.
Scammers add a clock: "today", "within 12 hours", "your account will be closed". If a message wants you to act fast, act slow.
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Look.
Who sent it? Where does the link really go? What does it want: click, call, pay, share a code or install? Nobody real asks for gift cards or crypto.
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Go around.
Don't use the link or number in the message. Open the official app, type the website yourself, or call the number on your card or bill.
Report a scam
Got a scam message? Here's what to do
Reporting takes two minutes and helps stop the next person getting caught. Start with the steps that work everywhere, then use the official service for your country.
Wherever you live
- Paid or shared a code? Call your bank now, on the number on the back of your card. Then change your email password.
- Report it where it arrived. Use the Report or Block button in the app, or "Report phishing" in your email.
- Tell the real company being copied, through its official app or a website you type yourself.
- Report it on econsumer.gov if the scammer may be in another country. It's run by consumer protection agencies from more than 65 countries, and you can report from anywhere.
- Lost money? Report it to your police. Your bank may ask for the police report.
By country
United States
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Lost money online? Also report it to the FBI at ic3.gov
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (free)
United Kingdom
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Report Fraud, or call 0300 123 2040
- Scotland: call Police Scotland on 101
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (free)
- Unexpected call about your money? Hang up and call 159 to reach your bank safely
Canada
- Lost money? Call your local police first
- Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca, or call 1-888-495-8501
- Forward scam texts to 7726
Australia
- Report it to Scamwatch
- Lost money? Report it to the police through ReportCyber
Someone offering to get your money back? Anyone who contacts you offering to "recover" your money for a fee is running a second scam. Real police and banks never charge to help.
Stay safe from fake "Doubt First" accounts
What I will never do
Scam channels get copied by scammers. If someone using this name does any of these, it isn't me.
- Message you first, or reply to your comment from another account
- Ask you for money, crypto, gift cards or personal details
- Offer to "recover" money you've lost