Pause before you pay

A calm checklist for suspicious calls and messages.

1. Stop and take a breath. Do not send money, share a code, or install software because someone is pressuring you.
2. End the call or leave the message. Do not use the phone number or link the sender provided.
3. Find a trusted contact route, such as the number on your bank card or a website address you already know.
4. Ask someone you trust to review the request with you. A familiar name or voice alone does not prove who is contacting you.
5. If you already paid or shared account details, contact the affected organization through a trusted channel promptly.

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