General education: Scrammer cannot determine whether a specific contact is fraudulent.If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.

How does Pause, Verify, Act work?

A quick way to pause, verify the situation independently, and choose a safer next step.

By the Scrammer team2 min read

Scam education works best when it gives people a calm action they can remember instead of making them afraid of every message.

What to do

  • Teach people to pause before paying, clicking, sharing information, or granting device access.
  • Practice finding an independent contact route before a stressful situation happens.
  • Use plain language, accessible formats, and current official sources. Never publish private scam details.

Keep the decision in your control

You do not need to decide immediately whether a contact is genuine. End the unexpected conversation, find a trusted contact route independently, and ask for help before sending money or information.

Use the private Help Finder

Source

Source last reviewed October 11, 2026.