How to spot and stop scams: New approach from fraud expert in Oklahoma

Scams are growing more advanced and emotionally manipulative, but an expert says Oklahomans can protect themselves with a simple, three-step method: pause, reflect, and protect.

Jeff Miller with the Fraud Watch Network joined News On 6 at 4 p.m. to explain how this new approach can stop scammers in their tracks.

“You know, we've come up with an approach because things are getting more sophisticated and constantly evolving on the scam world,” Miller said. “So we've come up with an approach called pause, reflect and protect.”

Pause First—Don’t React Immediately

The first step is to stop and recognize the red flags when a suspicious message or call comes in.

“There’s three elements before that,” Miller said. “So the elements that you're commonly going to see are really going to be an unexpected contact, emotionally charged, and a sense of urgency.”

He said when you experience any of those warning signs, it’s time to take action, by not acting right away.

“So when you actually see that happening or feel that happening, that's your trigger to say take an active pause.”

Reflect Before You Respond

Miller shared a classic scam example to highlight the importance of slowing down and thinking through the situation.

“You get a call in the middle of the night or late at night, and it's somebody claiming to be your grandson. They're in jail. They need money right now,” he explained. “So it's unexpected, it's emotional, and it's urgent. So what you need to do is take a pause, think, reflect, is this really something that would be happening?”

Protect Yourself by Verifying the Source

Once you've paused and reflected, it's time to act—but with caution.

“You protect yourself by hanging up the call, contact your grandson or his parents to see that he's okay,” Miller said.

He emphasized that if something feels off, make your own call instead of continuing a conversation with someone who contacted you unexpectedly.

“Call your grandson, call whoever it is.”

Real-World Examples from Oklahoma

Miller shared real scenarios, including a friend who paid a fake toll fine simply because the fee was small.

“I had a friend that actually said, yeah, I got one of those, and I just—it was only 250. So I paid it,” Miller said. “Well, were you even up there? Well, no, but it was only 250. Well, you just gave a criminal your credit card information that they will use at some point.”

He also mentioned how scams can target anyone, even those who think they’re prepared.

“I had a medical bill, so I went and looked, I paused, looked at my medical bill, and I was like, I actually don't.”

Final Advice: Stick to the Three-Step Rule

“Pause, reflect, and protect,” Miller repeated.