The FBI offers tips for individuals to protect themselves from scams like the one that caught Jim Bannach and his girlfriend:

• The U.S. Government and legitimate businesses will never ask you to purchase gold or other precious metals.
• Protect your personal information. Never disclose your home address or agree to meet with unknown individuals to deliver cash or precious metals.
• Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups on your computer, links sent via text messages or email links and attachments.
• Do not call unknown telephone numbers provided in pop-ups, texts or emails.
• Do not download software at the request of unknown individuals who contact you.
• Do not allow unknown individuals access to your computer.

The Federal Trade Commission advises:

• If you get a scam call, hang up right away and do not press any buttons on your phone while connected to the call.

• If you’ve lost money to a phone scam or have information about the company or scammer who called you, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

• If you didn’t lose money and just want to report a call, use the streamlined reporting form at DoNotCall.gov.

Any information provided could help stop scammers. Report the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID and any number they told you to call back. Also report the exact date and time of the call, if you know it. Knowing all this information helps the FTC and its law enforcement partners track down the scammers behind the call.

The FTC also takes the scammer phone numbers you report and releases them to the public each business day. This helps phone carriers and other partners that are working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions.