Stay Safe Online
Spot the scam before it costs you.
Learn to recognize the most common online scams, and the one question that stops most of them, in short, plain-language lessons. Free, and no account needed to learn. A quiz or certificate needs one.
The red flags, and what to do about them.
The red flags
Spot fake emails, texts, and calls pretending to be your bank, the IRS, or tech support.
The pressure
See through urgency, fear, and too-good-to-be-true offers, and the question that stops them cold.
What to do next
Simple steps to protect your accounts, and how to report a scam if it happens to you.
A romance scam, in her own words
⚠️ Watch Out: A Video Call Is Not Proof It's Really Them
In under 3 minutes, hear how a romance scam actually unfolds — and the one rule that stops it: a video call is not proof, because a face on screen can be faked or borrowed. If someone you have only met online starts asking for money, gift cards, or crypto, slow down, talk to someone you trust, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Created for Lumoset Foundation by Katelyn, a remote volunteer. Thank you, Katelyn, for helping keep our community safer.
See a government-impersonation scam in action
⚠️ Watch Out: Fake Government Calls Are Scamming Millions in 2025
In just 3 minutes, see how scammers pretend to be the IRS, Social Security, or FEMA — and the one rule that stops them: real agencies won't call, text, or email demanding money or personal details. When in doubt, hang up and call back using a number you look up yourself, and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Created for Lumoset Foundation by volunteer Jeremy Ames, a former FDA communications specialist. Thank you, Jeremy, for helping keep our community safer.
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Related free guides
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Get the free guide →The one habit that stops most scams.
Slow down, then verify using a number or website you look up yourself. Anyone who rushes you is telling you something.
Keep going, it's all free.
Ready to go deeper? Take a full, plain-language course, or see how real scams unfold.
Check it with someone you trust
The one habit that stops most scams.
Slow down, then verify using a number or website you look up yourself. Anyone who rushes you is telling you something.

Keep going, it's all free.
Ready to go deeper? Take a full, plain-language course, or see how real scams unfold.
- Course: Spot the Scam, Level 1
- Course: Spot the Scam, Level 2
- Course: Spot the Scam, Level 3
- Guide: The 2026 Top 5 Scams
- Guide: Money Scams, Gift Cards, Wire & Crypto
- Guide: Fake Investment Offers
- Guide: Protecting Someone You Love Online
- Article: Spotting AI-Generated Voices, Photos & Video
- Story: How Lori English Lost $500,000 to a Social Security Scam
- Read all Real Scam Stories
- Story: Fran Bates and the Bitcoin ATM Scam
- Story: Lazaro Suarez and the Grandparent Scam
- Story: Oregon Drivers and Credit Freeze Alerts
- Story: Medicare Orthotic Brace Scheme
- Story: Fake Remote Assistant Check Scam