How ABA May Support Responding to Scam Pressure

Teach a short pause routine

Use an accessible sequence such as stop, save the message, avoid its links or number, contact a trusted person, and verify through an official route. Make the routine available through AAC, text, wallet card, device shortcut, or another usable form.

Recognize high-value warning signs

FTC identifies common scam patterns such as unexpected contact, pressure to hurry, requests for personal information, impersonation, and demands for payment through hard-to-reverse methods. Its scam guide recommends finding trusted contact information independently and reporting scams.

Prepare for money already sent

Contact the payment company or account provider through a trusted route immediately and ask what recovery steps are available. Preserve messages and transaction evidence. Use applicable emergency, law-enforcement, adult or child protective, banking, insurer, and consumer routes without waiting for an ABA session.

Keep authority and dignity visible

The CFPB fraud hub includes routes for scams, unauthorized transactions, and suspected financial exploitation. The Ethics Code addresses dignity, confidentiality, competence, client protection, and required reporting for covered analysts.

A practical example

Leah encounters six fictional scam scenarios. A trusted verification contact and accessible stop card are ready in 5/6. Leah pauses and verifies all five. One scenario lacks the official contact and is scored as a system-readiness miss.

Questions families can use

Can the person pause without explaining? Where is the trusted contact? Which payment or secrecy demand is a warning? What happens if information or money was sent? Which authority handles immediate danger or exploitation?