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What it is
Comprehensive guide to protecting against financial fraud including identity theft prevention strategies, credit monitoring setup, scam identification (phishing, vishing, romance, investment), fraud reporting procedures, credit freeze and lock mechanisms, recovery steps after fraud occurs, elder fraud awareness, and teaching children about scam recognition.
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SKILL.md
434 lines · 3,049 words
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. If you are a victim of fraud, contact law enforcement and consult with an attorney. Financial fraud laws and recovery options vary by jurisdiction and fraud type.
Use this skill when:
Comprehensive guide to protecting against financial fraud including identity theft prevention strategies, credit monitoring setup, scam identification (phishing, vishing, romance, investment), fraud reporting procedures, credit freeze and lock mechanisms, recovery steps after fraud occurs, elder fraud awareness, and teaching children about scam recognition.
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What it covers
When to Use
Questions to Ask First
Phase 1: Identity Theft Prevention
Phase 2: Credit Monitoring
Phase 3: Scam Identification
Phase 4: Credit Freeze and Lock
Phase 5: Fraud Reporting and Recovery
Phase 6: Elder Fraud Awareness
Phase 7: Teaching Kids About Scams
Financial Security Checklist
Process
Output Format
Edge Cases
Example
User needs guidance on financial fraud protection concepts
User wants to implement or improve their approach to financial fraud protection
Do NOT use when:
The request falls outside the scope of financial fraud protection
User needs a different specialized skill for their specific situation
The topic requires professional consultation beyond general guidance
Have you or a family member been a victim of fraud or identity theft?
Do you monitor your credit reports regularly?
Do you have a credit freeze in place?
Are there elderly family members who may be targets for scams?
Do you receive frequent unsolicited calls, emails, or messages?
How do you currently protect sensitive financial information?
Do you use online banking and payment apps?
Are you concerned about a specific type of fraud?
Do you share financial information with family members or caregivers?
Have you educated your household members about common scams?
Physical Security:
Shred documents containing personal information before discarding
Lock your mailbox or use a PO Box for sensitive mail
Do not carry your Social Security card (memorize the number)
Limit what you carry in your wallet (only cards you need today)
Store sensitive documents in a locked safe or secure location
Opt out of pre-approved credit offers (OptOutPrescreen.com or 1-888-567-8688)
Digital Security:
Use strong, unique passwords for all financial accounts
Enable two-factor authentication on all financial accounts
Monitor accounts for unauthorized transactions weekly
Use secure connections (HTTPS, VPN on public Wi-Fi)
Do not enter financial information on public computers
Be cautious about what you share on social media
Use a password manager
Mail and Phone:
Opt out of junk mail (DMAchoice.org)
Register with the Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov)
Do not provide personal information to unsolicited callers
Verify caller identity by hanging up and calling the official number
Collect mail promptly; hold mail when traveling
| Type | What Happens | Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Financial | Fraudster opens accounts or makes charges in your name | Unknown accounts on credit report, unexpected bills |
| Tax | Someone files a tax return using your SSN | IRS rejection of your filing, unexpected refund |
| Medical | Someone uses your identity for medical services | Unknown medical bills, incorrect medical records |
| Employment | Someone uses your SSN for employment | IRS reports income from unknown employer |
| Child | A child's SSN is used for accounts | Child receives credit offers, cannot open accounts at 18 |
| Criminal | Someone uses your identity during arrest | Arrest warrant for crimes you did not commit |
| Synthetic | Fraudster combines real and fake information | Harder to detect; often found during credit check |
| Bureau | Free Report | Freeze | Fraud Alert | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equifax | AnnualCreditReport.com | equifax.com/freeze | equifax.com | 1-800-349-9960 |
| Experian | AnnualCreditReport.com | experian.com/freeze | experian.com | 1-888-397-3742 |
| TransUnion | AnnualCreditReport.com | transunion.com/freeze | transunion.com | 1-888-909-8872 |
Free monitoring approach:
Request one free report from each bureau annually at AnnualCreditReport.com
Stagger requests (one bureau every 4 months for year-round coverage)
Set calendar reminders for each check
Review for unknown accounts, inquiries, and incorrect information
Enhanced monitoring:
Many banks and credit cards offer free credit score monitoring
Credit Karma (free) monitors TransUnion and Equifax
Experian offers free monitoring of your Experian report
Paid services (LifeLock, Identity Guard) offer additional features
Accounts you did not open
Inquiries you did not authorize
Incorrect personal information (addresses, employers)
Balances you do not recognize
Late payments on accounts that are not yours
Collection accounts that are not yours
Public records (bankruptcies, judgments) that are not yours
Common phishing scenarios:
"Your account has been compromised -- click here to verify"
"You have a package delivery issue -- update your information"
"Your payment failed -- enter your card information again"
"You've won a prize -- claim it now"
"Your boss needs you to buy gift cards urgently" (business email compromise)
How to identify:
Check the actual sender email address (not just the display name)
Hover over links before clicking (does the URL match the claimed sender?)
Look for urgency, threats, or pressure
Check for spelling and grammar errors
Legitimate organizations never ask for passwords via email
When in doubt, go directly to the organization's website (do not click the link)
Common phone scam scripts:
"This is the IRS. You owe back taxes and a warrant has been issued for your arrest."
"This is Social Security. Your number has been suspended due to suspicious activity."
"This is your bank's fraud department. We detected unauthorized charges."
"This is Microsoft/Apple. Your computer has a virus."
"You've won a sweepstakes. Pay the tax to claim your prize."
"Your grandchild is in jail and needs bail money immediately."
Key rules:
The IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest
Social Security never suspends your number
Your bank may call about fraud, but will never ask for your full password or PIN
Legitimate companies never call to demand gift card payment
If in doubt, hang up and call the organization at their official number
Warning signs:
Met online (dating site, social media) but always has excuses not to meet in person
Professes love very quickly
Claims to be working abroad (military, oil rig, doctor overseas)
Starts asking for money (emergency, travel to see you, medical crisis)
Stories do not add up or change over time
Wants to move off the dating platform to private messaging quickly
Photos may be stolen (reverse image search on Google)
Protection:
Never send money to someone you have not met in person
Reverse image search their photos
Be skeptical of overly perfect profiles
Tell friends and family about the relationship (outside perspective matters)
Never share financial information with an online romantic interest
Red flags:
Guaranteed returns with no risk
Pressure to invest immediately
Unsolicited investment offers (cold calls, social media messages)
Unregistered investments or sellers
Complex strategies you cannot understand
Returns that are consistently too good to be true
Difficulty withdrawing your money
Ponzi structure (returns paid from new investors' money)
Protection:
Verify the investment and the advisor at SEC.gov/EDGAR or FINRA BrokerCheck
Never invest based on a phone call or social media message
If it sounds too good to be true, it is
Consult with a licensed, independent financial advisor before investing
Be especially cautious of cryptocurrency and forex trading schemes
| Scam Type | How It Works | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Tech support | Fake pop-up says your computer is infected; call a number | Never call numbers from pop-ups; close the browser |
| Charity scam | Fake charity solicitation after disasters or holidays | Verify at CharityNavigator.org or GuideStar |
| Lottery/sweepstakes | "You've won! Pay processing fee to claim" | You cannot win a contest you did not enter |
| Rental scam | Below-market rent for a property the scammer does not own | Never pay without seeing the property and verifying ownership |
| Job scam | Pay for training, supplies, or background check upfront | Legitimate employers do not charge you to start working |
| Government impersonation | Fake calls from IRS, SSA, FBI demanding payment | Government agencies communicate by mail, not threats |
What it does: Prevents anyone (including you) from opening new credit accounts in your name until you lift the freeze.
How to set it up:
Contact each bureau separately (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Provide identification information
Each bureau will give you a unique PIN or password
Store these PINs securely (you need them to lift the freeze)
Cost: Free (federally mandated since 2018)
To temporarily lift:
Contact the bureau where you need the inquiry
Provide your PIN
Specify how long to lift the freeze (can be for a specific creditor or time period)
Lift takes effect within 1 hour (by law for online/phone, 3 business days by mail)
| Feature | Credit Freeze | Credit Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Legal protection | Federal law (guaranteed) | Contractual (company policy) |
| Cost | Free | Free or paid (depending on bureau) |
| Speed to lift | Within 1 hour (online/phone) | Often instant (via app) |
| Offered by | All three bureaus (required by law) | Individual bureau products |
Recommendation: A credit freeze is sufficient for most people and has legal protections that locks do not.
Immediate steps (first 24 hours):
Contact your bank and credit card companies to freeze affected accounts
Change passwords on compromised accounts
File a report at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC) -- this creates your official recovery plan
File a police report (you will need this for disputes and creditors)
Place a fraud alert with one credit bureau (they notify the other two)
Within the first week:
Freeze your credit at all three bureaus
Review all three credit reports for unauthorized accounts
Dispute unauthorized accounts with each creditor in writing
Notify the Social Security Administration if your SSN was compromised
Contact the IRS if tax fraud is suspected (IRS Identity Protection PIN)
File with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov for your personalized recovery plan
Contact your state attorney general's office
Ongoing recovery:
Monitor credit reports monthly for at least 12 months
Keep detailed records of all communications and actions
Follow up on disputes (creditors have 30 days to investigate)
Consider an identity theft protection service during recovery
Review and update your fraud alert or credit freeze as needed
FRAUD REPORTING CONTACTS
=========================
FTC Identity Theft: IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338
FBI Internet Crime (IC3): ic3.gov
Social Security Fraud: 1-800-269-0271
IRS Identity Theft: 1-800-908-4490
USPS Mail Fraud: 1-877-876-2455
FCC (phone scams): fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-calls
Credit Bureau Fraud Lines:
Equifax: 1-800-349-9960
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872Often have significant savings and good credit
May be more trusting or polite to callers
May be less familiar with technology and digital scams
May be isolated (fewer people to consult about suspicious contacts)
May be experiencing cognitive decline affecting judgment
Often reluctant to report fraud due to embarrassment
| Scam | Tactic | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Grandparent scam | "Your grandchild is in trouble and needs money now" | Verify by calling the grandchild directly at their known number |
| Medicare/insurance scam | Request Medicare number for "new card" or "free benefit" | Medicare will never call to ask for your number |
| Tech support | Fake virus warning, remote access to computer | Never give remote access; hang up and call a trusted person |
| Romance scam | Online relationship leading to money requests | Never send money to someone you have not met |
| Sweepstakes/lottery | "You've won! Pay the fee to claim" | You cannot win a contest you did not enter |
| Home repair | Unsolicited door-to-door contractors | Get multiple quotes, never pay full amount upfront |
| Power of attorney abuse | Trusted person misuses financial authority | Use an attorney to set up POA, consider co-agents |
Have regular conversations about common scams (non-judgmental, informative)
Set up caller ID and call blocking
Help them register on the Do Not Call Registry
Review financial statements together regularly
Establish a trusted contact person at their financial institution
Consider a credit freeze if they are not actively seeking new credit
Know the signs of financial exploitation (sudden changes in spending, new "friends" with financial interest, confusion about finances)
Report suspected elder fraud to Adult Protective Services
Ages 6-10:
Not everyone online is who they say they are
Never share personal information (name, address, school, phone number) with strangers online
Tell a parent or trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable
Not everything on the internet is true
Ages 10-14:
Recognize phishing emails and fake websites
Understand that "free" offers online usually have a catch
Never click links from unknown senders
Protect passwords and do not share them with friends
Understand in-app purchases and gaming scams
Recognize social media manipulation
Ages 14-18:
Understand identity theft and its consequences
Recognize job scams and employment fraud
Be cautious with online shopping (verify sellers)
Understand financial basics (how credit works, why SSN matters)
Recognize romance scams on social media
Understand digital footprint and privacy
Learn about cryptocurrency and investment scams targeting young people
"Have you ever seen something online that seemed too good to be true?"
"What would you do if someone online asked for your personal information?"
"Let me show you how to tell if an email is real or fake"
"Here's how to check if a website is legitimate before buying anything"
Credit frozen at all three bureaus
Two-factor authentication on all financial accounts
Unique passwords for every financial account
Credit monitoring active (free or paid)
Annual credit report review scheduled
Important documents secured (safe, cloud backup)
Pre-approved credit offers opted out
Do Not Call Registry enrollment
Review bank and credit card statements weekly
Check credit reports at least quarterly
Verify tax return filed (or file early to prevent tax fraud)
Review Social Security statement annually (ssa.gov)
Update passwords annually for financial accounts
Discuss new scam types with family regularly
Financial fraud prevention is an ongoing practice, not a one-time setup. Stay informed about new scam tactics, maintain your protective measures, and communicate openly with family members about threats. The best defense combines technology (freezes, 2FA, monitoring) with awareness (recognizing scams before they succeed).
Gather information. Ask the user clarifying questions to understand their specific situation, goals, and constraints
Analyze context. Review the information provided and identify key factors relevant to financial fraud protection
Develop recommendations. Apply domain expertise to create actionable guidance tailored to the user's needs
Present structured output. Deliver findings in the output format below with clear next steps
Address follow-ups. Answer additional questions and refine recommendations based on feedback
## Financial Fraud Protection Analysis
### Assessment
[Key findings and observations]
### Recommendations
1. [Primary recommendation]
2. [Secondary recommendation]
3. [Additional suggestions]
### Action Items
- [ ] [First action step]
- [ ] [Second action step]
- [ ] [Follow-up task]Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding with recommendations
Conflicting requirements: Prioritize the most critical constraint and note trade-offs
Out of scope requests: Redirect to appropriate specialized skill or professional resource
Beginner vs advanced: Adjust depth and terminology based on user's experience level
Input: "Help me with financial fraud protection for my current situation"
Output:
Based on your situation, here is a structured approach to financial fraud protection:
Assessment: Evaluate your current state and identify key areas for improvement
Strategy: Develop a targeted plan based on best practices
Implementation: Execute the plan with specific, measurable steps
Review: Monitor progress and adjust as needed
SKILL.md
434 lines · 3,049 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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