Nearly every scam relies on one weapon: urgency. Scammers rush you so you act before you think. The Pause Protocol is the four-step habit we follow — and teach in every household we sit with — to take that weapon away.
A real bank, agency, or family member can always wait a few minutes. Only a scam can't.
Stop before doing anything. Urgency is the warning sign — the more pressure you feel, the more reason to slow down.
Don’t click, pay, or share. Nothing genuine ever has to happen instantly.
Confirm through a trusted channel you already know — the number on your card, the contact already in your phone — never the one they gave you.
Only proceed once you’ve confirmed, independently, that it’s genuinely safe. If anything still feels off, it can wait.
No exceptions — it applies to Meridian too.
With Meridian, your advisor is one call away to verify anything — a suspicious email, an unexpected charge, a voice that sounds like family. When in doubt, you pause, and we confirm.
Complimentary · In your home or by video