Trust is the whole point.
Every post links its sources. Here's how we decide what to tell you.
How sure we are
We warn early, so we sometimes speak before it's official. The fuller the badge, the surer we are.
- ConfirmedAn official source has published it: a government agency, a bank, or the company being impersonated.
- ReportedAt least two credible sources say it's happening. Not official yet, but worth knowing now.
- Heads-upWe haven't seen it yet, but we expect it, because it follows a known pattern. (Black Friday, tax season, you know the drill.)
We never present a Reported or Heads-up item as Confirmed, and we don't pass on viral warnings without checking.
Where facts come from
Official sources first: the FTC, the FBI's IC3, state attorneys general, CISA, and the company being impersonated. Then reliable news, consumer groups and security researchers. If a number is a company's own data, we say so.
How we tell stories
- Real cases, without names. We credit the outlet and never use the person's photo.
- Dramatized where we say so. Invented people and stores show real patterns, and the page says what's invented.
- No blame, no accusations. Anyone can be targeted. We name a brand only when a scam is pretending to be it.
- Protect, don't teach. How to spot a scam, never how to run one.
Corrections
We update the original post with a clear note on what changed and why. We don't quietly delete, and corrections get the same visibility as the warning. Spotted a mistake? hello@heydoublecheck.com
We will never
- DM you first
- Ask for money, gift cards or crypto
- Offer to recover money you've lost
- Ask for passwords or verification codes
If someone claiming to be us does any of this, it's a scam. Report and block.
Our only accounts
Plus heydoublecheck.com and email from @heydoublecheck.com.
Independence
Independent awareness project. Not affiliated with any government agency, law enforcement or bank. No sponsors today. If that changes, sponsored content will be clearly marked and kept apart from warnings.