Stop, Call and Confirm is a three-step fraud prevention method that helps consumers and businesses verify urgent or unexpected messages before taking action.
At Doing More Today, our team of professionals fights back against ever‑evolving fraud every day.
Business Email Compromise. Spoofed phone and video calls. Fake websites. AI‑driven threats. Phishing attempts designed to steal your information and your money. These are just a few examples of scams consumers and businesses face every day.
A 5‑minute call can save you months of misery. Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank
Why Urgency is a Red Flag for Fraud Schemes
Despite how different these schemes may seem, they all share one powerful tactic: a sense of urgency. Scammers pressure you to act immediately – or risk severe consequences. Why? They want you acting before you consider the consequences.
While the methods constantly change, the best defense does not.
Want to stop a scammer in their tracks? Pause and take a breath before responding.
We call it STOP, CALL, and CONFIRM.
What is STOP, CALL and CONFIRM?
- STOP
Before you do anything, ask yourself a few simple questions:
Was I expecting this message?
Is it really from someone I trust?
If something feels off – even slightly – don’t rush forward.
- CALL
This step is critical. Do not reply to the email or text, even if it includes a phone number or link. Instead, independently contact the person or organization using a number you already trust.
Keep your bank and credit card phone numbers saved in your contacts. If you don’t have them handy, go directly to the company’s official website to find the correct contact information.
- CONFIRM
Ask a direct and simple question:
“I received an urgent message saying there’s an issue with my account. Can you confirm whether this message is legitimate?”
If there is a real problem, you can safely address it. If not, you’ve just avoided becoming a victim.
Verify, Verify, Verify
“A 5‑minute call can save you months of misery,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics at Regions Bank. “You may worry that you’re bothering someone, but you’re not only protecting yourself – you’re also alerting others who can help stop the scam. You may even prevent others from falling victim to the same scheme.”
Additional Resources from Regions.com
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The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.