How we write our guides.
Who writes them
Bryce Wachtell, founder of ScamPrep, writes our guides and is responsible for every word in them. Bryce works full time on scam prevention for older adults and their families. He isn't a lawyer or a financial advisor, so our guides are education, not legal or financial advice. The expertise comes from the primary sources we cite, plus our own experience building ScamPrep.
Where the facts come from
We rely on primary sources: the agencies that track scams and run the programs scammers impersonate, such as the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Medicare. Each guide lists its sources at the end.
The advice we give
We teach one habit above all: end the contact, then check through a phone number or website you already trust. We never suggest keeping a scammer talking, testing them, or playing along. We only recommend steps that a trusted source recommends.
Examples of scam messages and calls are labeled "Simulated." When we share a real story, it's with the person's permission, and we change details that could identify them.
Standards and ethics
ScamPrep is a company, and our guides mention what we're building. They never rank us against other products, and we don't accept payment to mention or link to anyone.
Corrections
If you spot a mistake or have a suggestion, email corrections@getscamprep.com and we'll take a look. If a correction changes the advice in a guide, we say so at the end of that guide, with the date.