About

About Don't Get Scammed

Don't Get Scammed is a free, plain-English guide that helps everyday people recognize and avoid online fraud — and helps them protect the people they care about.

Why this guide exists

“I didn't write this because I'm an expert who looks down on victims; I wrote it because I've seen firsthand the devastating impact that modern fraud has on people I care about. Scams aren't a problem only for the careless or the elderly—they are a sophisticated industry. Modern fraud is designed by professionals who study human psychology and know exactly how to make anyone act fast and stop thinking. Most advice about it is either too technical to follow or too vague to use. This guide is the opposite: clear, specific, and written so that someone who has never thought about online safety can start protecting themselves today.”

What's inside

This guide cuts through the noise to show you exactly how modern scammers operate. You'll learn to recognize the tactics used in real-world encounters—from phishing emails and phone fraud to the latest risks like AI deepfakes and voice cloning.

The book is organized to help you take action immediately:

• The Scammer's Playbook: Discover the four psychological “weapons”—urgency, fear, greed, and authority—that criminals use to bypass your logic.
• Defending Your Digital Life: Learn simple, high-impact habits to secure your email, devices, and online shopping.
• The Crypto Frontier: Understand how to spot and avoid complex cryptocurrency investment scams.
• The AI Threat: A dedicated look at how to protect yourself against voice cloning, synthetic scams, and deepfakes.
• Recovery & Protection: A clear, step-by-step plan for what to do if you've already been targeted, plus a personal security checklist to lock down your accounts.

Every chapter is free to read on this site, written in plain English, and designed to help you start protecting yourself—and your family—today.

How we keep this accurate

Because the landscape of online fraud changes daily, this site is a living resource. We are constantly monitoring the latest scam reports and alerts to keep our guidance current and actionable. The information provided here is grounded in official, public resources from the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, CISA, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, all of which are linked directly throughout the chapters.

Please note that this site is strictly for educational purposes and does not provide legal or financial advice. For decisions specific to your personal or financial situation, we always recommend consulting with a qualified professional.

Get in touch

Questions, corrections, or a scam story you think others should know about? Visit our contact page — we read everything.