Basic InvestorU.S. Module 06 ยท Pause before paying
Urgency is a reason to verify, not a reason to hurry.
Guaranteed returns, impersonation, secrecy, private-chat pressure and unusual payment requests are signals to stop and check independently.
A pause protocol
Protect the decision before the money.
- Stop contact and do not send funds or identity documents.
- Save messages, account details, receipts and timestamps.
- Find the firm or person through an official source you locate yourself.
- Ask someone trusted to review the situation.
- Report suspected fraud through the appropriate U.S. channel.
No legitimate offer needs secrecy.
A polished dashboard, familiar logo or celebrity endorsement is not proof. Do not call numbers or click links supplied by the suspected sender.
Know where to report.
- Investor.gov alerts for investor-protection information.
- FBI IC3 for qualifying internet crime reports.
- FTC fraud reporting for consumer fraud.
Reporting does not guarantee recovery. Preserve evidence and consider qualified legal or law-enforcement support.