GuardianLight · Free public guidance

Training the signals before you act

Short explanations, a repeatable safety routine, and free official services for reporting and guidance.

Return to urgent helpUse the checklist

Training without logging in

Simple safety advice

Use these reminders as a short training guide for yourself, a family member, or a trusted supporter.

What should I do first?

Pause the conversation and stop any payment. Call your bank or card issuer using the number on your card or an official statement. Do not use contact details from the unexpected message.

What if I already sent money?

Call your bank or payment provider immediately and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled. Save messages and receipts. Do not send more money to “recover” it.

What should I do with scam messages?

Do not reply or click more links. Keep copies or screenshots if it is safe, then report and block the sender. Redact passwords, codes, card numbers, and Social Security numbers before sharing anything.

What are common warning signs?

Unexpected contact, urgency, secrecy, threats, requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency, remote computer access, and requests for sensitive information are warning signs. Verify independently through an official channel.

Can GuardianLight tell me for certain that something is a scam?

No. GuardianLight explains warning signs and suggests safer next steps. It cannot make a definitive fraud determination or replace your bank, law enforcement, emergency services, legal advice, or financial advice.

A repeatable habit

The pause-and-verify routine

Use these deeper modules for a family conversation, staff orientation, or self-guided practice.

1. Pause

Slow down when someone creates urgency, secrecy, fear, or excitement. A legitimate organization can wait while you verify.

2. Protect

Stop payment, end contact, and keep passwords, one-time codes, and full account numbers private.

3. Verify

Find the official website or number yourself. Ask someone you trust before acting on an unexpected request.

4. Preserve

Keep the original message, screenshots, dates, usernames, receipts, and transaction details. Record what happened in order.

5. Report

Use the official services below. GuardianLight provides links and a printable conversation report; it does not submit reports for you.

6. Recover safely

Use a safe device to change reused passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and monitor accounts. Never pay a second person who promises recovery.

Daily safety checklist

Print this page or use the browser’s “Save as PDF” option.

  • ☐ I checked unexpected requests through an independently found official channel.
  • ☐ I did not share a password, PIN, one-time code, recovery phrase, or full payment number.
  • ☐ I used unique passwords for important accounts and enabled multi-factor authentication where available.
  • ☐ I reviewed account alerts and questioned unfamiliar activity through a trusted channel.
  • ☐ I kept important receipts, messages, and contacts in a safe place.
  • ☐ I told a trusted person before acting on an urgent or secret request.

Weekly deeper practice: rehearse how you will pause a suspicious call, find an official number, and save evidence without replying.

Free official services

Report and get guidance

These links go directly to official US services. GuardianLight does not submit a report for you.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Report scams and fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

Visit the FTC

Verified contact directory

Provider contacts checked from official pages

Only current, verified provider contacts are shown. Do not use a number from a suspicious message. Open the source page yourself and verify the provider and product before calling.

Loading verified contacts…

Practice with a real next step

Choose a deeper response plan

These free guides turn the short reminders into an immediate checklist, a script, and a follow-up plan. No account is required.

Scam happening now

Stop pressure, protect access, contact the real institution, and preserve the record.

Open plan

Money already sent

Contact the provider quickly, gather payment facts, and avoid recovery scams.

Open plan

Suspicious message or call

Pause without engaging, save what you received, and verify independently.

Open plan

Information exposed

Identify the category, change exposed credentials, and monitor connected accounts.

Open plan

Account taken over

Secure email first, review sessions, and warn contacts safely.

Open plan