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

What should I do if someone asks me to keep a money request secret?

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

By the Scrammer team2 min read

Trust and fear can make a request feel urgent. Taking a private moment to verify is caring, not disloyal.

What to do

  • Do not send money or information while the conversation is creating panic or secrecy.
  • Contact the person through a number you already had, or ask another trusted person to help verify the story.
  • If you are helping someone else, focus on stopping further contact without blame or embarrassment.

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.