New FTC Tool Helps Consumers Plan for Scams

The Federal Trade Commission is offering a new ‘How I’ll Avoid a Scam: My Action Plan’ tool to help individuals and families avoid falling victim to a scam. During this upcoming holiday season, families and loved ones should take a few minutes during their celebrations to create their own anti-scam action plan.

We know scammers tell lots of different stories to try to get their targets’ money or personal information. They say a consumer owes the government money, pretends to be a bank or trusted business, or claims a family member had an emergency. Their goal is to get a consumer to panic and rush into action before they can pause, think, and confirm the story is real.

Having resources readily available can help consumers prevent scams when they are targeted. The FTC’s new Action Plan tool can be used to create a list of trusted people and businesses, as well as their contact information. When consumers encounter something that may be a scam, they can refer to their Action Plan and reach out to the people they trust most for help, advice, or verification of the possible scammer’s claims.

Talking about a situation is one of the most effective ways for consumers to realize it’s a scam. And in case a business or government organization is impersonated by a scammer, having their real contact information readily available can help consumers confirm whether a message or request they received is real.

Consumers can order free, blank copies of the Action Plan at ftc.gov to post on their refrigerator, keep near their phone or computer, or share with loved ones and community groups.