Who We Are – Fraud Prevention & Scam Detection Education
Dollar Vigil is an educational fraud-prevention resource. We teach financial fraud prevention, scam detection, and scam recovery education so you can act fast, think clearly, and avoid getting hit twice.
We explain how scams work, how to spot red flags before you lose money, and what to do if you already have. No blame. No shame. Just practical online fraud awareness that treats you like an adult.
What is this site?
A blunt guide to understanding fraud tactics and protecting yourself.
Who is it for?
Anyone who wants to recognize scams, avoid them, or recover smarter after being targeted.
What problem does it solve?
Scams thrive on panic and shame. We cut through both with clear, honest education.
Why we exist
Scammers win when you freeze.
Fear keeps people from reporting. Shame keeps them quiet. Confusion keeps them sending more money or deleting evidence.
We built Dollar Vigil because most fraud advice is either too vague to use or written like a legal disclaimer. Neither helps when someone is demanding your bank login right now.
What we actually do
We explain scam tactics in plain English
Scammers use pressure, urgency, fake authority, and secrecy. We break down the playbook so you can see it coming.
What they want. How they push. What "proof" they fake. Why it feels real in the moment.
We teach scam detection before the loss
Early warning signs you can actually use:
- Odd payment methods (gift cards, crypto, wire transfers for things that should not need them)
- Sudden urgency paired with secrecy
- Requests for passwords, codes, or remote access
- Emotional hooks (fear, romance, greed, embarrassment)
- Verification tricks that rely on trusting the person asking
We teach financial fraud prevention without paranoia
You should not need to treat every email like a bomb.
We focus on realistic habits:
- Simple account security basics
- Safer payment decisions
- Verification steps that do not rely on the person contacting you
- Recognizing when urgency is a tactic, not a reason
We teach scam recovery education after the hit
Recovery is not one step. It is an order of operations.
Immediate priorities:
- Stop sending more money or information
- Secure your accounts (change passwords, enable two-factor authentication)
- Document everything (screenshots, emails, transaction records)
- Contact your bank or card provider using official contact details
- Report to the right authorities in your country
Then watch for the second scam.
After a loss, fake "recovery services" will offer to get your money back for a fee or upfront payment. That is another scam.
What we do not do
Let us be clear:
- We do not offer legal, banking, or law enforcement services.
- We do not guarantee you will get your money back.
- We do not blame people for reacting like humans under pressure.
- We do not shame anyone for missing a red flag.
We explain options. You decide what fits your situation.
Our editorial approach
Fraud is a serious topic. Bad advice can cost real money.
So we aim for:
Clarity. Short sentences. Direct definitions. No fluff.
Consistency. The same scam should not have five different names across the site.
Evidence. When we make factual claims, we point to reliable sources.
Safety. We do not encourage risky moves that make things worse.
We cite regulators and official sources when relevant: the FTC, FCA, ACCC, FINTRAC, RBI, FinCEN, CFPB, FBI IC3, Europol, and others.
Global audience note
Scams travel well. Rules do not.
We write for readers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and India. We avoid region-specific banking steps unless we explain them.
When we discuss reporting or account security, we focus on principles that work almost everywhere:
- Use official contact channels, not links in messages
- Move fast on account access
- Keep records
- Watch for repeat targeting
Who gets scammed?
Everyone.
Scams are designed to trigger normal reactions. Fear. Trust. Hope. Urgency. Embarrassment.
We all make snap decisions under pressure. Scammers just weaponize that.
What makes Dollar Vigil different
We do not sugarcoat.
Scammers are ridiculous. Their tactics are absurd when you see them clearly. We show you the absurdity without making you feel stupid for missing it.
We do not treat victims like idiots.
Missing a red flag under pressure is not the same as being careless. We explain why scams work so you can recognize the next one faster.
We focus on action, not blame.
Shame is not useful. Clarity is. We focus on what to do next, not what you should have done differently.
If you are in the middle of a scam right now
Stop.
Do not send more money. Do not share codes. Do not install remote access tools.
Take screenshots. Write down what happened. Contact your bank or card provider using a number you find yourself (not one they gave you).
Scammers rely on urgency. Your pause breaks their script.
Questions people ask
Is Dollar Vigil a bank or recovery service?
No. We are an education site focused on online fraud awareness, scam detection, and scam recovery education.
Can you help me get my money back?
We cannot recover funds. We teach you what steps to take and who to contact. Anyone promising guaranteed recovery is lying.
Why should I trust this site?
We cite real sources. We do not sell recovery services. We do not affiliate with financial institutions. Our only goal is education.
What if I already sent money?
Secure your accounts immediately. Contact your bank. Document everything. Report to authorities. Then read our recovery guides for next steps.
What is a recovery scam?
A follow-up scam where someone claims they can recover your lost money or crypto for a fee, upfront cost, or more access. It is another scam.
Do scammers only target old people or people who are not tech-savvy?
No. Scammers target everyone. Different scams target different triggers. Romance scams, job scams, investment scams, and impersonation scams hit people of all ages and backgrounds.
Contact and transparency
Dollar Vigil is run by a small editorial team.
We are not affiliated with banks, law enforcement, recovery firms, or financial institutions.
We do not sell products, services, or your data.
Our goal is simple: make financial fraud prevention clearer, faster, and less shameful.