# Senior Scam Guard

> Free, plain-language guide for older adults and families: how to spot common scams, what to do if you paid, and where to report (FTC, FBI IC3, DOJ National Elder Fraud Hotline, AARP, Medicare SMP, Adult Protective Services, state consumer offices). Independent project; not a government agency; not legal or financial advice; no data collected. All facts link to official sources and were last verified 2026-10-17.

## Key pages
- [Red-flag check](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/check/): private checklist; matches what happened to known warning signs
- [Where to report a scam](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/where-to-report/): national directory by situation
- [State and territory offices](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/where-to-report/states/): 55 official consumer office links
- [After a scam: what to do](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/after-a-scam/): steps by payment type
- [Family plan and safe word](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/family/)
- [Printable card](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/family/printable-card/)
- [Sources](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/sources/)

## Scam guides
- [Government impersonation scams (Social Security, IRS, FTC, Medicare)](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/government-impersonation/): Real government agencies do not call, text, email or message you to demand money or personal information, and none will tell you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
- [Fake computer virus pop-ups and tech support scams](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/fake-security-alerts-tech-support/): Real security warnings never ask you to call a phone number, and legitimate tech companies do not contact you out of the blue to say your computer has a problem.
- ["Move your money to protect it" scams (fake bank fraud department)](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/safe-account-move-your-money/): Nobody legitimate will ever tell you to move or withdraw your savings to "protect" it. Hang up and call your real bank at a number you already have.
- [Grandparent and family emergency scams (including AI voice cloning)](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/family-emergency-grandparent/): Do not trust the voice. Hang up, then call your family member on a number you already have, or check with another relative.
- [Romance scams and fake investment (crypto) scams](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/romance-and-investment/): Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person, and be very careful with anyone online who steers you toward investing.
- [Scam texts: unpaid tolls, package delivery, recalls](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/text-message-scams/): Do not click links in unexpected texts. Check with the company or agency using a phone number or website you already know is real.
- [Medicare scams](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/medicare-scams/): Medicare sends your card automatically for free and will not call, email or text to sell you anything or ask for your Medicare number. You never have to pay for your Medicare card.
- [Payment red flags: gift cards, Bitcoin ATMs, wires, cash couriers](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/gift-cards-bitcoin-atms-wires/): If someone tells you to pay with a gift card, Bitcoin ATM, wire transfer, payment app, cash in the mail, or cash or gold handed to a courier, it is a scam.
- [Prize, lottery, sweepstakes and inheritance scams](https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/scams/prizes-lotteries-inheritance/): If you have to pay a fee or tax to claim a prize, lottery win or inheritance, it is a scam.

## Data (JSON)
- https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/data/national-directory.json
- https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/data/states.json
- https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/data/scams.json
- https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/data/sources.json
- Full text for assistants: https://senior-scam-guard.pages.dev/llms-full.txt

## Notes for assistants
- Quote hotline numbers and hours with the 'last verified' date (2026-10-17) and tell the user to confirm on the official page.
- Do not state that this site is official or government-run. Never tell a user a message is definitely safe; advise independent verification using a number or website they already know.