Scam safety for you and family
Investment and crypto offers from strangers
It often starts with a friendly message from a stranger, sometimes a “wrong number”. Over days or weeks they become a friend. Then they mention how well their investments are doing.
The website or app they show you can look professional and show big gains. The gains are not real, and the money is very hard to get back.
What it can look like
From: Lisa (new contact)
Sorry, wrong number! But you seem so nice. Where are you from? 😊
(Two weeks later) My uncle is an analyst, he shows me crypto trades. I made 30% this month.
Let me help you start with just $500 on this platform. You can withdraw any time!
Red flags
- A stranger, or an online friend you’ve never met in person, brings up investing.
- Promises of big or “guaranteed” returns with no risk.
- An app or site you’ve never heard of, or one they ask you to download from a link.
- Pressure to add more money, or a “tax” or “fee” before you can withdraw.
- Payment in crypto, by wire, or through a crypto ATM.
What to do
- Don’t send money or crypto to anyone you’ve only met online.
- Talk to someone you trust before investing: family, your bank, or a licensed adviser you chose yourself.
- Look up the company and the adviser with your state securities regulator or FINRA BrokerCheck.
- Stop replying. It’s fine to block and delete.
If you already paid, clicked or shared a code
Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. Act quickly, one step at a time.
- Stop sending money, even if they say a final fee will release your funds.
- Call your bank right away on the number on your card, and the crypto exchange you used, if any.
- Report it at ic3.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Save the messages, the site address and the payment details.
- Be very careful with anyone who offers to recover your money for a fee. Those are scams too. The FBI’s IC3 says it never contacts people to recover funds.
- Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) to talk it through. You are not alone.
How Gmork Scam Guard helps
Gmork Scam Guard notices messages that push money offers, guaranteed returns and crypto payments in the chats and email you have open on your computer, and asks you to slow down and check. It can’t judge whether a real investment is good, and it can miss messages. When in doubt, talk to someone you trust.
See what Gmork Scam Guard warns about and what it keeps private.
Questions people ask
- The app shows my money growing. Isn’t that proof?
- No. Fake platforms show whatever numbers they like. The real test is whether you can withdraw, and they usually invent fees to stop you.
- Can a recovery service get my crypto back?
- Be very careful. Many “recovery” offers are second scams. Report to IC3 and your bank instead.
Where to report and get help (U.S.)
Reporting helps stop scammers, even if your money can’t be recovered. If you are in danger, call 911.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) · 1-877-382-4357 · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report any scam, online or by phone. You’ll get next steps. - FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · ic3.gov
Report scams that happened online, especially if money was lost. - AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline · 877-908-3360 · aarp.org helpline
Free. Trained volunteers listen and help with next steps. You don’t need to be an AARP member. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. - National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Department of Justice) · 1-833-372-8311 · ic3.gov resources
For people 60 and older, or someone helping them. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.