Scam reports need a calm freeze — not blame
When helper reports a suspected scam call or message (Singapore) is the employer response ladder: stop, verify, protect OTPs and money, then tighten phone habits. Standing phone/social rules sit in #31. Lost-phone process sits in #136. Real remittance sits in #140. This page owns suspected scam response.
General guidance only — not legal advice. Soft MOM: mom.gov.sg. Use official ScamShield / police channels for live reporting. SmartMaid.com.sg is a marketplace. Licensed EAs place helpers. Platform ≠ agency. No invented $.
Neighbouring hubs:
- Setting phone and social media boundaries fairly (unique #31)
- When your helper loses her phone (unique #136)
- Remittance process (unique #140)
- Salary advance or loan ask (unique #113)
- Helping your MDW open a bank account (unique #135)
- Updating emergency contacts (unique #151)
- Written house rules sheet (unique #32)
- Building trust while maintaining standards (unique #44)
- This article: suspected scam response
Step 1 — Freeze (no OTP, no transfer)
Thank her for telling you. Do not scold. Stop any payment or sharing of one-time passwords immediately. Trust framing: #44.
Step 2 — Verify the story
Fake “EA / MOM / bank / employer” calls are common. Soft-check with the *real* EA number you already saved (#151) — never call back a number from the suspicious SMS alone. Platform ≠ agency.
Step 3 — Money paths
- Urgent “send money home” pressure ≠ normal remittance (#140)
- “Loan / advance now” pressure ≠ #113
- Bank compromise → contact the bank using the number on the card/app (#135)
No invented $ loss figures in house notes.
Step 4 — Device hygiene
If the phone may be compromised, follow lost/compromise habits in #136 and restate fair phone rules (#31). Add a one-line “report scams to us first” to house rules (#32).
Step 5 — Soft official report
If money moved or OTPs leaked, help her use live official scam-report channels. Soft MOM welfare framing on mom.gov.sg.
Soft MOM
Encourage reporting without fear. Soft only. Platform ≠ agency. No invented $.
Checklist
- Freeze: no OTP / no transfer
- Verify via known EA / bank contacts (#151)
- Separate from real remittance / advance (#140 / #113)
- Phone habits refreshed (#31 / #136)
- Official report if funds/OTP at risk
- No invented $; platform ≠ agency; soft MOM
Scripts
To helper: Good that you told me. Do not send money or share the code. We will check with the real agency/bank numbers we already saved.
To co-employer: Praise the report — shame makes the next scam harder to catch.
Bottom line
Freeze, verify with known contacts, protect OTPs and money, then refresh phone habits — without inventing loss figures or blaming her for speaking up. Browse on SmartMaid; place through a licensed EA under soft MOM rules.
