Scam & Phishing Guides

What to Do Next

Immediate steps to take after a suspicious email, click, or reply.

Email Scams

How common email scams work and how to spot them.

Brand Impersonation

Fake emails pretending to be from well-known companies.

Government Impersonation

Scam emails pretending to be from the IRS, SSA, Medicare, and other agencies.

Financial Scams

Bank alerts, payment app scams, invoice fraud, and money-transfer scams.

Shopping & Delivery Scams

Fake package notifications, order confirmations, and retail scams.

Older Adult Safety

Guides for older adults, families, and caregivers.

Scam Explainers

Plain-English explainers of common scam types.

Latest Scam Alerts

Timely and seasonal scam alerts.

I Downloaded an Attachment From a Suspicious Email

Downloaded — or opened — an attachment you shouldn't have? Work through these steps in order. Most people are fine, but the next hour matters.

I Sent Money to a Scammer: What Should I Do?

Recovery depends almost entirely on how you paid and how fast you move. Follow the steps for your payment method below.

Should You Reply to a Suspicious Email?

It feels harmless to fire back a one-line reply. It is not. Here is what a scammer learns the moment you press send.

The 10 Best Tools to Protect Against Email Scams in 2026

Filters stop most scams, but not all of them. These ten tools cover the gap between 'your spam filter caught it' and 'you almost clicked.'

The 3 Best Internet Safety Tools for Seniors

Most 'security tools' are built for IT departments. These three are built for real people — and each one works with skills seniors already have.

How to Protect Your Parents From Online Scams

You can't watch their inbox for them. But one afternoon of setup and one ongoing habit can close most of the risk.

7 Red Flags That an Email Is a Scam

You don't need to be technical. These seven signs catch the overwhelming majority of scam emails before you click.

The Top 10 Online Scams Targeting Seniors Right Now

Scammers target older adults deliberately, not accidentally. Here are the ten plays they run most — and the counter for each.

5 Ways to Tell If an Email Is Really From Your Bank

Fake bank emails are the most dangerous scams because they target the money directly. These five checks settle it.

Fake Package Delivery Texts and Emails: How the Scam Works

'Your package couldn't be delivered.' It's the most-sent scam message in America — and it has a 30-second defense.

10 Things Scammers Say (Word for Word)

Scam scripts are recycled across thousands of criminals. Learn these ten exact phrases and you'll recognize the play in the first sentence.

How to Talk to an Older Loved One About a Scam (Without Shame)

The first conversation after a scam determines whether there will be a second one. Here's how to get it right.

How to Check If a Link Is Safe Before You Click

The link is where scams happen. Six ways to check one — from a two-second hover to asking a human.