60-second script

For community radio, a church bulletin recording, a facility voicemail greeting, or a newsletter insert. Roughly 150 words. Read slowly.

Last year, Americans over sixty reported losing seven point seven billion dollars to scams. That's not because they were careless. It's because the people doing this are professionals.

So here's a rule that works even against a professional.

Before any money moves — three steps.

One. Look up the number yourself. Not the number they gave you. The one on your card, or your statement.

Two. Call the person yourself. Hang up first. If it was real, they'll still be there.

Three. Wait a day. Real problems survive a night's sleep. Scams don't.

You don't have to get suspicious of everybody. You just add one step.

And if something already happened — call eight-three-three, three-seven-two, eight-three-one-one. That's the National Elder Fraud Hotline. It's free, and nobody there will judge you.

30-second version

Before you move any money, three steps.

Look up the number yourself — not the one they gave you.

Call the person yourself. Hang up first.

And wait a day. Real problems survive a night's sleep.

You don't have to get suspicious of everybody. You just add one step.

15-second version

If somebody calls you about money — hang up, look up the number yourself, and call them back. That one habit stops almost every scam there is.