Money path

The payment methods scammers want you to use

The story can change. The payment path often gives the scam away.

Watch the money request

A fake bank employee, fake police officer, fake romantic partner, fake grandchild, fake tech-support worker, or fake investment coach may all push different stories toward similar payment methods.

• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Bitcoin ATMs
• Wire transfers to new recipients
• Payment apps to strangers
• Courier cash
• Cash hidden in packages

The household rule

No one in the family uses these payment methods because of a surprise call, text, email, popup, video, or online relationship without independent verification and a trusted-person pause.

Script to use

"Our family does not pay surprise requests this way. I need to call my bank and a trusted person before I do anything."

Why this rule is easier

You do not have to decide whether every story is true. You only have to notice that the payment method is unusual for the situation.