This is fraud-safety education, not financial advice. It does not tell you what to do with your money. Nothing on this page is stored or sent.
Before you move your savings

A call, a text, or an app says move your money. Do three checks first.

FINRA says it has seen more scams that push investors, most often older ones, to move money out of their accounts. FINRA, read 2026-10-22

Start the three checks
Tap each one

The three checks

They take about one day. You need no account, and you can do them with someone you trust next to you.

Is this person or firm real?Look them up yourself. Use the number you find, not the one they gave you.
A license is not a guarantee.A real license does not make the deal real. A screen full of gains can be fake.
  • FINRA says most registered professionals try to deal fairly, but some bad actors work outside the rules. Even if they say they are registered, check for yourself. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  • A product being registered with the SEC does not mean it is a good one, or safe from fraud. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  • A fake website or app can show "earnings" that are not there. Scammers send fake screenshots and make an account look like it is doing well. SEC (Investor.gov), read 2026-10-22
  • An app being in a well-known app store does not make it, or what happens in it, real. SEC (Investor.gov), read 2026-10-22
  • If you cannot take your money out, or only if you pay a fee first, that is a warning sign. FTC, read 2026-10-22
  • Never pay money to get your own money "released." Scammers invent fees or taxes when you try to take money out. SEC (Investor.gov), read 2026-10-22
Wait 24 hours. Tell one person you trust.Before the first transfer, give it a full day and say it out loud to someone.
  • Scammers push you to act now, before you have time to think. Honest businesses give you time to decide. FTC, read 2026-10-22
  • Our rule of thumb: wait 24 hours before the first transfer. A real offer will still be there tomorrow.
  • Before you do anything, tell someone you trust: a friend, a family member, a neighbor. Saying it out loud can help you see it is a scam. FTC, read 2026-10-22
  • Warning signs: they say keep it secret, give you a script for your bank, ask you to install software, or tell you to open a new account. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  • No real government agency or financial firm will ask you to move your money "for safekeeping." FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  • You can add a trusted contact person to your brokerage account. Then the firm can reach that person if it is worried about fraud. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  • Questions about your accounts? FINRA's Securities Helpline for Seniors is 844-57-HELPS. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
Optional

The 24-hour pause note

Print it or take a screenshot. Keep it by the phone or on the fridge. Fill in the blank by hand.

My 24-hour pause

Before I move any savings because of a call, text, app or website:

  1. I look them up myself on BrokerCheck and IAPD.
  2. I call my bank or broker at the number on my statement, not one they gave me.
  3. I wait 24 hours before the first transfer.
  4. I tell   first.
  5. I never pay a fee to get my own money out.
  6. If they say "keep this secret," I hang up.

Elder fraud help: National Elder Fraud Hotline, 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time. Justice Department (OVC), read 2026-10-22

If it already happened

If money already moved, act today

This happens to careful, smart people. Move fast, and do not wait to feel sure.

  1. Call your bank or credit union right away. If you paid by bank transfer or Zelle, report it at once and ask them to reverse the payment. If you sent a wire, crypto, or a gift card, call that company at once too. FTC, read 2026-10-22
  2. Stop talking to them, and send no more money. SEC (Investor.gov), read 2026-10-22
  3. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov. The Internet Crime Complaint Center is run by the FBI. It takes reports of online frauds and scams, even if you are not sure yours counts. FBI (IC3), read 2026-10-22
  4. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. FTC, read 2026-10-22
  5. Tell your state securities regulator. NASAA lists every state's office at nasaa.org. FINRA, read 2026-10-22
  6. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11). The Justice Department runs it. It is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time, in English, Spanish and other languages. A case manager helps you report the crime and find other help. Justice Department (OVC), read 2026-10-22
  7. Watch for a second scam. Someone may call later saying they can get your money back for a fee. The IC3 will never contact you directly for information or money. FBI (IC3), read 2026-10-22
Next

When the money is safe

Sources

Where every line comes from

Each page below was read on 2026-10-22. If a page changes, its own words win.