Resource · Cybersecurity
Scam definitions & prevention: a client guide.
A nine-page, plain-English guide to the seven scams most likely to reach your inbox, phone, or social feed — and the steps to take if one targets you or someone you love.
Protecting your assets and data is priority number one for our firm. But the threats that reach our clients usually arrive through personal email, social media, dating apps, or a phone call — channels we cannot lock down for you. This guide explains what scams look like in 2026 and the practical steps that keep you safe.
The seven scam types covered
Each section in the guide includes telltale signs, prevention steps, and questions to ask yourself before you act.
01
Romance & sweetheart scams
Fraudulent profiles on dating apps and social platforms cultivate an emotional attachment, then invent an emergency that requires urgent financial help.
02
Sweepstakes & lottery scams
Notices that you have won a prize you never entered, followed by a request for fees, taxes, or banking details before you can collect.
03
Government impersonator scams
Callers or emails posing as the IRS, Social Security, or local law enforcement, threatening penalties unless you pay or share personal information.
04
Tech & fraud-support scams
Pop-ups or calls warning that your computer is compromised, then asking for remote access or payment to 'fix' it.
05
Real estate wire scams
Fake wire instructions sent during a home purchase, often by someone impersonating the title or escrow company.
06
Business email compromise (BEC)
Spoofed or hijacked email accounts request urgent payments, gift cards, or changes to direct deposit and vendor banking information.
07
Investment & 'pig-butchering' scams
Promises of guaranteed high returns, often after weeks of friendly conversation, leading to fake investment platforms and crypto transfers.
Universal red flags
If any of these are present, pause the transaction and call us — or a trusted family member — before you respond.
- Pressure to act immediately or keep the request secret.
- Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- A new contact you have never met in person asking for money.
- Last-minute changes to wire instructions or vendor banking details.
- Promises of guaranteed returns or 'risk-free' investments.
- Emails or numbers that are one or two characters off from a real address.
If you think you've been targeted
Call MPM Wealth at (419) 861-1400 before you wire any funds, share account information, or click a suspicious link. We will help you verify the request, freeze anything that needs to be frozen, and coordinate next steps with your bank and law enforcement.
Keep a copy for your household
Print it, save it, or forward it to a parent or adult child.