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Scam source index

Review Olevo scam source index, including FTC-first guidance, FBI, IC3, USPIS, AARP, IdentityTheft.gov, ReportFraud.gov, and review rules for public pages.

Reviewed July 17, 2026

Quick answer

Olevo's source index explains how public scam guidance is chosen: FTC consumer guidance first, then official agency, platform, and topic-specific supplemental sources.

A source is used when it helps a reader recognize a pattern, verify through a safer path, report a problem, or understand what not to share.

How Olevo chooses sources

Olevo uses public, consumer-facing guidance first. FTC consumer pages are preferred when they directly match the scam topic. FBI, IC3, USPIS, IdentityTheft.gov, Medicare, and agency-specific sources are used when they add reporting, cybercrime, postal, identity, or program context.

AARP is used as supplemental context when a page is current, topic-specific, and helpful for family support or practical scam-safety examples.

A source should help a reader make a safer next step. If a page only adds fear, repeats vague warnings, or makes claims that do not match public guidance, it should not become a primary source for Olevo copy.

  • Primary source preference: FTC and official government guidance.
  • Supplemental source preference: topic-specific AARP, FBI, IC3, USPIS, or platform guidance.
  • Review cadence: update Learn sources when a newer, broader, or more topic-specific source becomes available.

Source hierarchy

Olevo gives the most weight to public sources that are specific, current, and useful for consumer action.

Source type

FTC consumer guidance

Use it for

General scam warning signs, reporting, and practical consumer steps

Example

Unexpected text scam, phishing, gift card scams

Source type

Official agency pages

Use it for

Program-specific reporting, identity, cybercrime, postal, or caller ID details

Example

IC3, IdentityTheft.gov, USPIS, FCC

Source type

Platform or company support pages

Use it for

Account-specific verification or phishing reporting steps

Example

Apple, Google, Microsoft support

Source type

Supplemental nonprofit or media guidance

Use it for

Current examples, family-safety context, or topic-specific patterns

Example

AARP scam and fraud guidance

Supplemental sources support the page; they should not override clearer official consumer guidance.

When a source should be refreshed

Scam pages should be reviewed when an agency publishes newer guidance, a scam pattern changes, a link breaks, or a source no longer matches the page's advice. A newer source is not automatically better; it should be broader, more specific, more actionable, or more official for the topic.

Olevo should keep visible page guidance consistent with the linked sources. If a source says to verify through an official account, the page should not tell readers to trust a message link. If a source says a scam uses payment pressure, the page should make that warning clear without overstating certainty.

When two sources disagree in tone or detail, use the one that gives the clearest consumer action and explain the limit in plain language. The page should help someone decide what to verify next, not collect every possible warning ever published.

  • Prefer current source pages with clear consumer steps.
  • Keep source notes specific so readers understand why a link is included.
  • Update pages when reporting paths, platform policies, or agency guidance changes.
  • Remove stale or duplicate links when they no longer improve the reader's next step.

Common topic source trails

Some scam topics need extra context from payment, marketplace, housing, lending, or account-safety sources. These pages show how Olevo applies the same source rules to specific everyday patterns.

Unpaid toll texts

FTC and supplemental toll-message guidance.

PayPal invoice messages

Phishing, fake support, and invoice-pressure guidance.

Student loan relief messages

Debt-relief and Federal Student Aid credential warnings.

Debt relief calls and messages

Upfront fees, guarantees, and creditor verification.

Rental listing messages

Deposits before viewing and copied-listing checks.

Car buyer overpayment messages

Fake check and refund-request source pattern.

Payment app scams

Start with Zelle, then compare Venmo and Cash App pages.

Ticket scam messages

Resale pressure and platform-verification guidance.

Pet scam messages

Fake listings, transport fees, and payment pressure.

Core public sources

These public pages are the main source families used across Olevo Learn pages.

FTC consumer alerts

Current consumer scam warnings.

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Fraud reporting.

IdentityTheft.gov

Identity theft recovery.

IC3.gov

Cybercrime reporting.

USPIS scam articles

Postal scams.

AARP scams and fraud

Supplemental topic examples.

Trusted sources

Common questions

Why does Olevo prefer FTC sources?

FTC consumer guidance is public, consumer-facing, and directly focused on common fraud and reporting steps.

Why include AARP?

AARP can add current, topic-specific examples that are useful for family support and everyday scam-safety routines.

Are source links endorsements?

No. They are public references used to support scam education and reporting guidance.

How often should sources be reviewed?

Sources should be reviewed when scam patterns change or when newer FTC, agency, or topic-specific guidance is published.

Related pages