Light, mid-tempo music plays. A blue background fills the screen.
Onscreen text:
Stay alert: It's scam season.
Blue background changes to an animated outdoor scene of trees and flowers, with mountains in the background. A woman is walking her dog on a path. Chirping birds fly by. She is startled by a buzzing in her pocket. She realizes she's received a text message and pulls her phone out of her pocket. There's a close-up view of the message on her screen.
Onscreen text:
WARNING: The IRS is filing a lawsuit against you for insufficient funds. An arrest warrant is being issued by local authorities.
The woman is surprised by the text message.
Woman with dog: What? When did I pay taxes?
Suddenly, in a flash of light, another woman pops into the scene. The dog is startled, barks, and hides behind the first woman, shaking with fear. The new woman looks exactly like the woman walking the dog: same clothes and hair. But she's wearing a blue cape.
Woman in cape: That's a strange text message. It's giving off scam vibes.
Woman with dog: But it's the IRS, right?
Woman in cape: The real IRS is a bit more old school. They'd notify you with a snail mail letter, not a text. This could be what is called a peer-to-peer, or P2P, scam.
The dog inches closer to the woman in the cape. It looks back and forth between its owner and the caped woman, confused by their identical appearance. It whimpers.
Woman with dog: But this text sounds so official.
Woman in cape: Yeah, scammers are good. In a P2P scam, it looks legit.
A close-up of the phone's screen appears again.
On-screen text:
WARNING: The IRS is filing a lawsuit against you for insufficient funds. An arrest warrant is being issued by local authorities.
After a moment, more text appears.
On-screen text:
Send funds here.
The word "here" on the phone appears to be a hyperlink, but a website is not indicated.
Woman in cape: Scammers use payment apps to trick you into sending money.
The dog creeps up to the woman in the cap and nervously sniffs her shoe. After a couple of sniffs, the dog relaxes and appears happy, as if recognizing who the woman is.
Woman in cape: If you're not sure, search online for similar scams, or go directly to the person, business, or agency you know to verify.
Both women stand with their hands on their hips. The dog sits between them, looking at the woman in the cape and wagging its tail.
Woman with dog: Funny, I was just thinking that same exact thing.
Woman in cape: I know. And good call on those shoes—so comfy.
The two women stand in the same pose, making identical hand gestures and facial expressions. The dog barks in excitement and happiness.
A blue color fills the screen.
On-screen text:
Protect yourself against cyber scams. Learn how at schwab.com/schwabsafe.
Brand music plays.
The Charles Schwab logo appears.
Onscreen text:
Own your tomorrow®
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