# AskBeforeYouSend

> Free scam checker and plain-English, fact-checked scam guides for seniors, families and everyone. No account, no paywall. The checker runs on the user's device, never uploads screenshots, and never says a message is "safe" (answers: Stop, Can't be sure, No common signs found).

The rule we give for every scam: never send money, gift cards, crypto or verification codes because of a call, text or message. Hang up and call the real number yourself (the back of your card, your bill, or the official website). Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, and forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).

Every guide cites official sources (FTC, FBI IC3, USPIS, FCC, SSA OIG, IRS, Medicare, AARP, BBB, and the impersonated company's own security page) and was last checked 2026-10-16. Quote freely with a link. Full text of every guide: https://askbeforeyousend.com/llms-full.txt

## Scam texts
- [Is the E-ZPass unpaid toll text a scam?](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/ezpass-toll-text-scam/): Almost always, yes. The FTC says a surprise text about unpaid tolls is probably a scam. Scammers pose as toll agencies across the country, add a small amount and a "late fee", and link to a fake payment page that steals your card number and personal information.
- [Is the USPS redelivery text a scam? ("Your package could not be delivered")](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/package-delivery-text-scam/): If you didn't sign up for text tracking on that package, treat it as a scam. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service says USPS won't text or email you without you first requesting it with a tracking number, and those messages won't contain a link.
- [Is the DMV "unpaid traffic ticket" text a scam?](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/dmv-traffic-ticket-text-scam/): Treat it as a scam. The FTC warned in July 2025 about texts pretending to be state DMVs that demand payment for an "overdue traffic ticket" and threaten to suspend your license and registration, add a 35% service fee, prosecute you, or hurt your credit score. DMVs in Virginia, South Carolina and Texas have said they don't text people demanding payment for tickets.
- ["Wrong number" texts from strangers: why you shouldn't reply](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/wrong-number-text-scam/): Don't reply, not even to say "wrong number." The FTC says scammers use "hi, how are you?" and wrong-number texts to start a conversation, become your friend, and later pitch crypto investing or ask for money. Even a short reply confirms your number works, which can bring more scam calls and texts. Delete it and report it as junk, or forward it to 7726.

## Scam emails and fake invoices
- [Geek Squad renewal email scam: the fake invoice that says "call to cancel"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/geek-squad-email-scam/): If you didn't sign up for it, treat it as a scam. The FTC says fake Geek Squad emails and texts claim you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew a membership and tell you to call a number within 24 hours. If you call, the scammers ask for remote access to your computer, fake a refund "mistake", and pressure you to send money back.
- [PayPal invoice scam: a bill you didn't order with "call us" in the note](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/paypal-invoice-scam/): Don't pay it and don't call the number in it. PayPal says scammers send invoices and money requests, sometimes through PayPal itself, with an alarming note telling you to call a fake customer service number. Log in to the PayPal app or website yourself to see whether anything is really due, and forward fake PayPal emails to phishing@paypal.com.

## Zelle, Cash App and payment apps
- [Fake bank fraud alert texts: "Did you attempt a Zelle payment?"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/bank-fraud-alert-text/): Don't reply and don't call any number in the text. Call the number on the back of your card instead. The FTC found bank impersonation was the most-reported text scam, and the FBI warns these texts lead to calls from fake bank staff who talk you into sending money to "reverse" a payment.
- [Zelle scams: "send it to yourself", fake bank calls and too-good deals](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/zelle-scam/): Only use Zelle with people you know and trust. Zelle says to treat it like cash, because money sent to an enrolled user usually arrives within minutes. If you authorized a payment, even because you were tricked, you may not get it back. The FTC says your real bank will never contact you to tell you to transfer money or to ask for passcodes.
- [Cash App scams: fake support, "cash flips" and payment screenshots](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/cash-app-scam/): Cash App says your bank, your payment app and the IRS will never ask for your password, PIN or one-time sign-in code. Every "cash flip" offer is a scam, and so is anyone who overpays you and wants the difference back. Get help only inside the Cash App app or at 1 (800) 969-1940, the support number the FTC lists.

## Fake government, police and benefits
- [Medicare card scam calls and texts: "Your new Medicare card"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/medicare-scam/): If someone contacts you out of the blue asking for your Medicare number, bank details or payment for a "new card", it's a scam. Medicare cards are free, and you can call Medicare yourself at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check.
- [Is the IRS calling you? How to spot an IRS scam](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/irs-scam-call/): A call, text or email demanding immediate payment of "back taxes", with threats of arrest, is a scam. The IRS says it generally contacts people first by U.S. mail, doesn't start contact by email or social media to ask for personal or financial information, and doesn't text you without your permission.
- ["Your Social Security number is suspended": the Social Security scam](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/social-security-scam/): It's a scam. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General says Social Security will never threaten you with arrest or legal action, say your number is suspended, demand immediate payment, or ask for gift cards, cash, wire transfers, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency.
- [Jury duty scam: "You missed jury duty and there's a warrant"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/jury-duty-scam/): It's a scam. The federal courts say they don't require anyone to give sensitive information by phone or email, and that most contact with jurors is by U.S. mail. Scammers threaten fines and jail to get your money or personal information.
- [Utility shutoff scam: "Your power will be cut off in 30 minutes"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/utility-shutoff-scam/): Hang up and call the number on your real bill. The FTC says scammers pretend to be your utility company, threaten to cut off service, and demand payment right away, often by gift card, payment app, crypto or wire.
- [Government grant scams: "You qualify for free money"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/government-grant-scam/): It's a scam. The FTC says government agencies won't call, text, email or message you on social media about a grant you didn't apply for, grants aren't given for personal needs like bills, and real agencies won't make you pay to get a grant. Anyone who wants your Social Security or bank number to "see if you qualify", or a fee by gift card, wire or crypto, is a scammer.
- [Fake police, FBI or sheriff calls: "There's a warrant for your arrest"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/police-impersonation-scam/): Hang up. The FBI says law enforcement and government authorities will never contact the public by phone or text to demand payment or ask for personal information, and will never ask for payment by prepaid card, crypto or courier. The FBI's IC3 received nearly 61,000 complaints about law enforcement and government impersonation scams between January 2025 and July 2026, with losses over $1.6 billion.

## Money, prizes and investing
- [Romance scams: when an online sweetheart asks for money](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/romance-scam/): If someone you've only met online asks for money, gift cards or crypto, it's a scam. The FTC's bottom line: never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven't met in person.
- [Crypto investment scams: "guaranteed" returns and fake trading apps](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/crypto-investment-scam/): Anyone who guarantees profits or tells you to send crypto to their platform is a scammer. The FTC says nobody can guarantee crypto returns, and the FBI's IC3 says investment fraud was the biggest loss category for people 60 and older in 2025, at about $3.5 billion.
- [Publishers Clearing House and lottery scams: "Pay a fee to claim your prize"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/publishers-clearing-house-scam/): If you have to pay anything to get a prize, it's a scam. Publishers Clearing House says the real PCH will never call you or ask you to pay money to enter or claim a prize, and the FTC says real prizes are free.
- [Fake check scams: "Deposit this check and send back the rest"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/fake-check-scam/): Never use money from a check to send money, gift cards or crypto to anyone who asks. The FTC says these checks are fake, and it can take weeks for the bank to find out. By then you're on the hook to pay the bank back.
- [Someone wants payment in gift cards. Is it a scam?](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/gift-card-request/): Yes. The FTC says only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple card, and give them the numbers off the back. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them.
- [Bitcoin ATM scams: "Deposit cash to protect your money"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/bitcoin-atm-scam/): Anyone who tells you to put cash into a Bitcoin or crypto ATM is a scammer. The FTC says real businesses and government agencies will never tell you to use a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money or fix a problem. The FBI's IC3 got more than 13,400 complaints involving crypto kiosks in 2025, with losses over $388 million.
- [Task job scams: paid to "like" or "rate" products, then asked to deposit crypto](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/task-job-scam/): It's a scam. The FTC says task scams start with an unexpected text or WhatsApp message about online work, show fake earnings in an app for "product boosting" or "app optimization", and then ask you to deposit your own money, usually crypto, to unlock the next tasks or withdraw. Never pay to get paid.
- ["We recovered your money": fund recovery scams that target scam victims](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/fund-recovery-scam/): If someone contacts you offering to get back money you lost to a scam, especially for a fee, treat it as another scam. The FBI warns that criminals pose as FBI or IC3 staff, sometimes with fake social media profiles, AI-generated videos and spoofed IC3 websites, to target people who already lost money. IC3 says it will never ask for payment to recover lost funds and doesn't refer people to companies that charge for recovery.

## Computers and tech support
- ["Your computer is infected, call Microsoft": the tech support pop-up scam](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/tech-support-popup-scam/): It's a scam. The FTC says tech support scams often start with a fake pop-up warning that looks like it's from a well-known company and urges you to call a number, or with a surprise "renewal" email from names like Geek Squad, McAfee or Norton. Once you call, they want remote access to your computer and payment that's hard to get back.
- [Phantom hacker scam: fake tech support, fake bank, fake government](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/phantom-hacker-scam/): It's a three-step scam the FBI says hits older adults hardest. A fake tech support agent gets into your computer, a fake bank or brokerage "fraud department" says foreign hackers got into your accounts, and a fake government agent, often claiming to be from the Federal Reserve, tells you to move your money to a "safe" account. There is no safe account. The FBI says the U.S. government will never ask you to send money by wire to foreign accounts, crypto, or gift or prepaid cards.

## Shopping and online selling
- [Fake Amazon refund and "suspicious purchase" scam calls and texts](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/amazon-refund-scam/): Treat it as a scam. The FTC says scammers call or text about a "suspicious purchase" or a refund on your Amazon account, then try to get your payment information, remote access to your computer, or money. Check your orders in the Amazon app or website you already use.
- [Facebook Marketplace scams: verification codes, fake payments and overpayment](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/facebook-marketplace-scam/): The big warning signs are a buyer who asks you for a code sent to your phone, a "payment" that's only a screenshot or email, an overpayment with a refund request, or a push to move the chat off Facebook. The FTC says don't accept mobile payments from strangers, never deposit a check for more than the selling price, and never share a verification code. Meet locally and take cash when you can.

## Family emergencies
- [Grandparent scam: "Grandma, I'm in jail and need bail money"](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/grandparent-scam/): Hang up and call your grandchild on the number you already have. Scammers pretend to be a grandchild or other relative in trouble (an arrest, a crash, a hospital) and rush you to send money. The FTC warns some now use AI to clone a loved one's voice from a short clip, so don't trust the voice alone.

## Latest alerts
- [Latest scam alerts](https://askbeforeyousend.com/scams/latest/): newest FTC and FBI warnings in plain English, newest first
- 2026-10-15 FBI IC3: Scammers exploit the 2026 midterm election. Donate only through a campaign's own website that you type in yourself. Check your voter registration on your state election office's official site. Official alert: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA261015-3
- 2026-09-28 FTC: Health insurance scams during Open Enrollment. Type Medicare.gov yourself or call 800-633-4227. For Marketplace plans use HealthCare.gov or 800-318-2596. Scroll past "Sponsored" results. Official alert: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/09/what-know-ahead-open-enrollment-avoid-health-insurance-scams
- 2026-09-17 FBI IC3: Fake police and government officials: $1.6 billion lost. Hang up. Police and government agencies never call or text to demand payment, and never want prepaid cards, crypto or a courier. Official alert: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260917
- 2026-09-03 FTC: Fake QR codes stuck on parking meters. Check the web address your camera previews before you tap it. When in doubt, pay with the official parking app or the meter itself. Official alert: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/09/see-qr-code-parked-somewhere-dont-scan-ityet
- 2026-08-24 FTC: "Veterans Savings Program" postcards are a scam. Don't call the number on the card. Call the VA Benefits Hotline at 1-800-827-1000. Report it at VSAFE.gov. Official alert: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/08/how-spot-postcard-scam-targeting-veterans
- 2026-07-20 FBI IC3: Scammers pretend to be the FBI's IC3 to "recover" lost money. IC3 never contacts people directly and never charges to recover money. Report only at www.ic3.gov, typed in yourself. Official alert: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260720

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Free human help: AARP Fraud Watch Helpline 877-908-3360 (weekdays). If money was lost, call the bank first using the number on the back of the card.