Scam Prevention Guides
Free, practical guides to help you recognize risk signals and verify before you act — whether you received a suspicious document, email, payment request, or business approach.
Documents & Contracts
Payment & Invoice Fraud
Online, Email & Phone Scams
Business & Investment Verification
Protecting People
Frequently Asked Questions
Which guide should I use?
Start with the situation you are in. If you received a document, use "How to Check a Suspicious Document." If someone is asking you to send money, start with "How to Verify a Payment Request." If you are not sure, "How to Verify If Something Is a Scam" covers the general steps that apply to most situations.
Are these guides free?
Yes. All guides on this page are free to read. VerifyBefore also offers a free document review tool — you can upload a suspicious document and receive a plain-English summary of risk signals and verification gaps at no cost.
Do these guides replace professional advice?
No. These guides help you identify risk signals and know what to verify independently. They do not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. If a situation involves significant money, contracts, or legal consequences, consult a qualified professional.
What should I do if I have already been scammed?
Contact your bank immediately if money was involved. Report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of any recovery.
Have a Document You Want to Check?
Upload it to VerifyBefore and get a plain-English summary of risk signals and verification gaps — free, before you act.
Check a Document FreeDisclaimer: VerifyBefore identifies risk signals and verification gaps in documents and messages. It does not prove fraud, verify document authenticity, or confirm whether a company is legitimate. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. Always contact official sources and speak with someone you trust before taking action.