A note from the founder
This started with
a real experience.
I'm Markus. I started Pause Before Pay
after experiencing just how convincing
and overwhelming a scam can be.
A phone call that sounded official
quickly became frightening.
I was pressured to leave work,
withdraw money from my bank,
and take it to a Bitcoin ATM.
In the middle of it, the urgency felt real.
Everything was happening so quickly
that there was barely a moment
to stop and think.
I kept wondering what could have
interrupted that moment.
What could have helped me pause?
That's why I'm listening to people
who've been scammed, almost been
scammed, stopped in time,
or helped someone else.
I want to understand what makes
these situations believable,
what creates the pressure,
and what could help someone
recognize what's happening
before it's too late.
This isn't about judging anyone
or telling people what they
should have done differently.
It's about learning from real experiences
and finding ways to help others.
There's nothing to buy here.
You don't have to share your name.
If you choose to tell your story,
I'll treat it with care.
M
Markus
Founder, Pause Before Pay