If you are concerned that you’re being lured into a scam — or may have already fallen victim — it is crucial to stop, center yourself and attempt to verify what you are being told with an external source of information.

Scammers generally work to create a sense of urgency and to bring potential victims into a heightened emotional state. They also attempt to isolate potential victims by advising against seeking outside advice, fraud experts said at a Thursday panel hosted by AARP Maine.

Erin West, founder of Operation Shamrock, a cyber-scam education and advocacy group, said scammers can use international networks and sophisticated methods to find and target vulnerable individuals. They can impersonate loved ones, domestic and foreign governments and attractive strangers, she said.

And while West’s group is advocating for greater enforcement against bad actors, she said individuals need to stay vigilant.

“We need to be our own detectives. We need to assume they are coming for us,” she told the crowd via video call. “It is our job to be skeptical.”

West joined Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Maine Andrew McCormack and Liz Buser, a senior adviser for AARP’s fraud prevention programs. The group explained common scamming methods, and discussed how to respond if you are contacted by a suspicious person online.

Here are the key takeaways from their panel discussion:

Who is at risk?

The panelists emphasized that people of all ages, backgrounds and incomes can fall victim to scams, but that older people are targeted at a higher rate than other demographics.

Buser said younger people report higher rates of losing money to scammers, but they typically lose less than those who have “a lifetime of savings” and strong credit histories to tap into.

“Older adults were also raised to have a deep respect for authority, like law enforcement, for example,” Buser said. “Loneliness and social isolation can be problematic, especially if a scammer earns your trust.”

In some cases, cognitive decline can also factor into someone falling victim, Buser said.

Older adults may also be less willing to tell others they were scammed out of fear of losing their independence or control over their own finances, she said.

What are the warning signs?

Scammers work to put victims “under the ether,” by forcing them into a heightened emotional state, McCormack said.

To keep up the ruse, they often attempt to isolate their victims by making it seem like there is no one else to turn to — whether through threats or claims of privileged information.

“They’ll give you whatever reason about how you can’t reach out to a friend,” McCormack said.

A sense of urgency, especially when it comes to transferring money, is another red flag, McCormack said. He warned people to be skeptical of unusual-seeming methods of transferring money, like using gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

Frey added that residents should be wary of anyone asking for personally identifiable information, including birth dates, Social Security numbers or banking information. That information can be used in the short term to do things like open new credit accounts, but it can also be used to deepen a false sense of connection in the long term, he said.

Buser said unexpected communications that trigger strong emotions are another key warning sign. That could be anything from a fear-inducing claim of a warrant for your arrest to a stranger reaching out to strike up a friendship.

Messages that seem like an accident and are followed by phrases like “I hope I didn’t disturb you” are a common signal that the person texting you is not who they claim to be, West said. So are people who have polished photos and strange-seeming names, like those with traditional first names in place of a last name.

Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create realistic documents, to manufacture fake photos and video calls and to smooth over grammatical errors that may otherwise suggest fraud, Buser said.

What do I do if I’ve been targeted?

If something seems off, pause and verify what you can against an outside source — even if the person reaching out warns against telling others.

If someone calls claiming to be your bank, hang up and try calling back at the number printed on the back of your credit or debit card, McCormack said. If you get an email including a number to call, double check its legitimacy before dialing.

If you have already handed over money, West said to call your financial institution right away. Ask if they have a means of recalling the funds or canceling the transaction.

“Usually the answer is going to be no, but we need to be letting our financial institutions know how big this problem is,” West said. “The next place you need to go is local law enforcement.”

Ask for a financial crimes detective, who may be better suited than others to address cases of fraud, West said.

Finally, report the incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, sometimes called IC3.

Buser also suggested calling AARP’s fraud helpline at (877) 908-3360, which offers free guidance to AARP members and nonmembers.

What if I suspect someone I know has fallen victim?

If you believe a friend or loved one has been scammed, it is important to approach them with empathy, Buser said. Make it clear that you see them as a victim, not as someone at fault. People may get defensive or shut down the conversation, especially if they already feel self-conscious.

Avoid telling someone directly that they have been scammed, West said. Instead, open the conversation by saying you have heard of common scams that seem to mirror what they are experiencing.

“Say to them, ‘I’ve heard about scams that work like this. Have you heard of this?” West suggested.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of an online scam? We want to hear your story. Contact us at [email protected] if you’d like to talk.