How to Spot a Scam Before it's Too Late

Financial Scams are getting smarter, faster, and more convincing – especially with new technology like artificial intelligence. Gone are the days when scams were east to spot because of poor grammar or obvious red flags. Today’s scams can look and sound frighteningly real.

The good news? There are warning signs. Knowing what to look for can help you pause, verify, and protect your money before damage is done.

1. Look Closely at Email Addresses and Sender Details

One of the most common (and effective) scam tactics is using email addresses that look almost legitimate.

Scammers may:

• Swap, add an extra, or remove a single letter (for example, support@shoreunitebank.com instead of support@shoreunitedbank.com)
• Add extra words like “secure”, “verify”, or “alerts”
• Use public email domains (gmail, outlook, yahoo) while claiming to represent a bank, business, or other legitimate organization

What to do:

Always click or tap the sender’s name to view the full email address. If it doesn’t match the official domain exactly, don’t click links or open any attachments in that email.

Tip: Legitimate banks and financial institutions will never ask you for your full social security number, online banking password, or one-time security codes via text or email.

2. Watch Out for Cloned or Fake Websites

Scammers frequently create “cloned” websites that look nearly identical to legitimate banking, shopping, or payment sites. Logos, colors, layouts – even login pages – can be copied perfectly.

Red flags include:

• Web addresses with misspellings or extra characters
• Missing “https”
• Pop-ups demanding immediate action
• Pages that feel slightly “off” once you start clicking around

What to do:

Instead of clicking a link in an email or text, manually type the website into your browser or use a previously saved bookmark you trust. You can also hover your cursor over top of the link without clicking and a small pop-up will appear with the real web address. Check that address for errors to ensure the link is not a scam in disguise.

Tip: Bookmark your regularly used financial websites into your browser so you can guarantee you’re using the legitimate website.

3. AI-Powered Scams: When Urgency Feels Real

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed the scam landscape dramatically. Scammers can now:

• Clone voices of loved ones
• Create fake videos or images
• Write realistic messages with perfect grammar and emotional detail

You might receive a call that sounds exactly like a child or parent saying they’re in trouble and need money right now. Or a message that looks like it came from your boss asking for an urgent wire transfer.

What to do:

Pause. Urgency is the scammer’s biggest weapon. Before acting:

• Call or message the person using a number you already have
• Ask a question only they would know
• Verify with a second trusted source

4. Pressure, Fear and “Act Now” Language

Scams almost always try to rush you. Common phrases include:

• “Your account will be closed today”
• “Immediate action required”
• “This is your final notice”
• “Do not tell anyone about this request”

Legitimate organizations give you time and multiple ways to verify information.

What to do:

If something feels rushed or secretive, that’s your cue to slow down and take that pause as mentioned above.

5. Requests for Unusual Payment Methods.

Scammers often ask for payment methods that are hard to trace or reverse, such as:

• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Wire transfers
• Peer-to-peer payment apps (especially under pressure)

What to do:

Be aware that banks, government agencies, and reputable businesses will never demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency.

BANKS NEVER ASK THAT - AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION

6. Too Good to Be True Offers

Promises of guaranteed returns, surprise winnings, or “exclusive opportunities” are classic scam tactics – especially in investment scams.

Be cautious of:

• Unsolicited investment offers
• Claims of “no risk”
• Pressure to move money quickly to avoid missing out

If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.

7. Trust Your Instinct – and Verify

If something feels off, it probably is. Scammers rely on emotion to override logic. Taking a moment to double-check can save you thousands of dollars – and a lot of stress.

Smart habits to adopt:

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
• Monitor your accounts regularly
• Freeze your credit if you’re not actively applying for credit
• Talk openly with family members about scams, especially seniors and teens

Final Thought: Pause is Protection

Scammers succeed when they rush you. Your best defense is simple: pause, verify, and never act out of fear or urgency alone.

If you believe you’ve encountered a scam or shared information by mistake, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. Acting quickly can make all the difference.

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