Hello, dear reader! Imagine this: You’re minding your own business when suddenly, your phone rings. The voice on the other end claims you’re involved in money laundering or drug trafficking. Yikes! Before you start composing your prison memoirs, take a breather. Here’s a fun fact: You’re likely talking to a scammer, not the FBI’s Most Wanted hotline.

The Scam Playbook: More Fiction than a Soap Opera

Scammers love a good story. They concoct wild tales to scare you into obedience, like linking your name to shady criminal activities. Then, they pile on the pressure, suggesting dire consequences like jail time or financial ruin unless you act NOW. Their strategy is like a bad infomercial: “But wait, there’s more! Don’t talk to anyone or look this up online, or else!”

Why They Don’t Want You to Phone a Friend

Scammers thrive on isolation. They want to keep you from seeking advice or verifying their claims. If an “agent” tells you to zip it and stay offline, it’s because they know that a quick Google search or a chat with a friend could unravel their web of lies faster than you can say “scam alert!”

Your Anti-Scam Playbook: Be the Hero of Your Own Story

  1. Don’t Rush, Don’t Flush (Your Money, That Is): Never send money to anyone from an unexpected call. Even if they claim it’s to “protect” your funds, it’s more likely to protect their sneaky schemes.

  2. Phone a Friend (or Two): Talk to someone you trust. Sharing the scam story is like airing out a bad smell. It helps you see the situation clearly, and your friend might even have a good laugh with you.

  3. Spot the Scammer Lingo: If the caller says things like “Don’t hang up,” “Don’t trust anyone,” or “Don’t research this,” they’re practically waving a giant red flag that says “I’m a scammer!”

Report and Rejoice: Your Civic Duty

If you suspect you’ve encountered one of these scam calls, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report could help bring down a scammer, and that’s definitely something worth celebrating! Plus, you can watch their video, “Why Report Fraud?” because who doesn’t love a little fraud-fighting motivation?

Remember, the next time you get that unexpected call, don’t panic. Hang up, laugh it off, and share the story with a friend. After all, the only crime here is how bad these scammers are at their jobs.

For more details, check out the original article at FTC Consumer Information.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/11/agent-told-me-stay-internet-it-scam