Scam guides
Each guide shows a real-style example, the red flags, what to do, and where to report it. Every guide is checked against FTC, FBI and other official sources.
Is the E-ZPass unpaid toll text a scam?
Got a text saying you owe an unpaid toll? The FTC says it's probably a scam. Red flags, what to do, and where to report it.Is the USPS redelivery text a scam? ("Your package could not be delivered")
USPS says it won't text you a link unless you asked for tracking. How the fake delivery text works, red flags, and how to report it.Grandparent scam: "Grandma, I'm in jail and need bail money"
A crying grandchild needs bail money and begs you not to tell anyone. How the grandparent scam works, AI voice cloning, and what to do.Medicare card scam calls and texts: "Your new Medicare card"
Medicare won't call you out of the blue for your Medicare number. Fake new card, free equipment and genetic test scams explained.Is the IRS calling you? How to spot an IRS scam
The IRS usually contacts you by mail first and never demands gift cards. Red flags of fake IRS calls, texts and emails."Your Social Security number is suspended": the Social Security scam
Social Security will never threaten arrest or say your number is suspended. How fake SSA calls work and where to report them.Fake Amazon refund and "suspicious purchase" scam calls and texts
A call or text about a suspicious Amazon purchase or a refund is a common scam. Check your orders in the real app instead."Your computer is infected, call Microsoft": the tech support pop-up scam
Pop-ups that say your computer is infected and give a number to call are scams, and so are surprise Geek Squad or Norton renewal emails.Romance scams: when an online sweetheart asks for money
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. How romance scammers work, the stories they tell, and how to help a loved one.Crypto investment scams: "guaranteed" returns and fake trading apps
Investment scams cost people 60+ more than any other type in the FBI's 2025 data. How fake crypto platforms work and the red flags.Fake bank fraud alert texts: "Did you attempt a Zelle payment?"
The FTC says fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam. What they look like and how to check with your real bank.Jury duty scam: "You missed jury duty and there's a warrant"
Courts don't call to collect fines for missed jury duty. How the jury duty scam works and what the federal courts say to do.Publishers Clearing House and lottery scams: "Pay a fee to claim your prize"
If you have to pay to collect a prize, it's a scam. What the real Publishers Clearing House says, and the red flags to look for.Fake check scams: "Deposit this check and send back the rest"
A stranger sends a check and asks you to send part back or buy gift cards. The check bounces and you owe the bank. Here's how to spot it.Utility shutoff scam: "Your power will be cut off in 30 minutes"
Scammers pretend to be your power, gas or water company and threaten a shutoff today. Call the number on your real bill.Someone wants payment in gift cards. Is it a scam?
Only scammers ask you to pay with gift cards and read them the numbers. What to do if you already bought the cards.Geek Squad renewal email scam: the fake invoice that says "call to cancel"
Got a Geek Squad, Norton or McAfee renewal email for hundreds of dollars? The FTC says it's a common scam. Red flags, what to do, where to report.Facebook Marketplace scams: verification codes, fake payments and overpayment
Buyer wants a code sent to your phone, sends a payment screenshot, or overpays? How Facebook Marketplace scams work and how to sell safely.Zelle scams: "send it to yourself", fake bank calls and too-good deals
A caller from "your bank" says to Zelle money to yourself to stop fraud? It's a scam. How Zelle scams work and whether you can get money back.Cash App scams: fake support, "cash flips" and payment screenshots
Someone wants your Cash App sign-in code, offers to flip $50 into $500, or overpaid you? How Cash App scams work and where to get real help.PayPal invoice scam: a bill you didn't order with "call us" in the note
Got a PayPal invoice for something you never bought, with a number to call? PayPal says don't pay it or call. What to do and how to report it.Is the DMV "unpaid traffic ticket" text a scam?
A text from "the DMV" says you have an overdue traffic ticket and your license will be suspended? The FTC says it's a scam. What to do.Phantom hacker scam: fake tech support, fake bank, fake government
The FBI's three-step "phantom hacker" scam tells older adults to move their savings to a "safe" Federal Reserve account. How to spot it and stop it.Bitcoin ATM scams: "Deposit cash to protect your money"
Told to take cash to a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money or pay a fine? It's always a scam. FTC and FBI data, red flags, and what to do."Wrong number" texts from strangers: why you shouldn't reply
A friendly text from a stranger who says they have the wrong number is often the start of a crypto or romance scam. The FTC's advice: don't reply.Task job scams: paid to "like" or "rate" products, then asked to deposit crypto
A text offers easy online work rating products or "boosting" apps, then you have to deposit money to get paid. The FTC says it's a task scam.Government grant scams: "You qualify for free money"
A call or message says you qualify for a government grant for bills or repairs, for a fee? The FTC says it's a scam. Five signs and what to do.Fake police, FBI or sheriff calls: "There's a warrant for your arrest"
A caller says they're police, a deputy or the FBI and you'll be arrested unless you pay? The FBI says it's a scam. Red flags and what to do."We recovered your money": fund recovery scams that target scam victims
Someone from "the FBI", IC3, a lawyer or a recovery firm says they can get back money you lost to a scam, for a fee. It's another scam. Here's how to tell.
Got a text saying you owe an unpaid toll? The FTC says it's probably a scam. Red flags, what to do, and where to report it.Is the USPS redelivery text a scam? ("Your package could not be delivered")
USPS says it won't text you a link unless you asked for tracking. How the fake delivery text works, red flags, and how to report it.Grandparent scam: "Grandma, I'm in jail and need bail money"
A crying grandchild needs bail money and begs you not to tell anyone. How the grandparent scam works, AI voice cloning, and what to do.Medicare card scam calls and texts: "Your new Medicare card"
Medicare won't call you out of the blue for your Medicare number. Fake new card, free equipment and genetic test scams explained.Is the IRS calling you? How to spot an IRS scam
The IRS usually contacts you by mail first and never demands gift cards. Red flags of fake IRS calls, texts and emails."Your Social Security number is suspended": the Social Security scam
Social Security will never threaten arrest or say your number is suspended. How fake SSA calls work and where to report them.Fake Amazon refund and "suspicious purchase" scam calls and texts
A call or text about a suspicious Amazon purchase or a refund is a common scam. Check your orders in the real app instead."Your computer is infected, call Microsoft": the tech support pop-up scam
Pop-ups that say your computer is infected and give a number to call are scams, and so are surprise Geek Squad or Norton renewal emails.Romance scams: when an online sweetheart asks for money
Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. How romance scammers work, the stories they tell, and how to help a loved one.Crypto investment scams: "guaranteed" returns and fake trading apps
Investment scams cost people 60+ more than any other type in the FBI's 2025 data. How fake crypto platforms work and the red flags.Fake bank fraud alert texts: "Did you attempt a Zelle payment?"
The FTC says fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam. What they look like and how to check with your real bank.Jury duty scam: "You missed jury duty and there's a warrant"
Courts don't call to collect fines for missed jury duty. How the jury duty scam works and what the federal courts say to do.Publishers Clearing House and lottery scams: "Pay a fee to claim your prize"
If you have to pay to collect a prize, it's a scam. What the real Publishers Clearing House says, and the red flags to look for.Fake check scams: "Deposit this check and send back the rest"
A stranger sends a check and asks you to send part back or buy gift cards. The check bounces and you owe the bank. Here's how to spot it.Utility shutoff scam: "Your power will be cut off in 30 minutes"
Scammers pretend to be your power, gas or water company and threaten a shutoff today. Call the number on your real bill.Someone wants payment in gift cards. Is it a scam?
Only scammers ask you to pay with gift cards and read them the numbers. What to do if you already bought the cards.Geek Squad renewal email scam: the fake invoice that says "call to cancel"
Got a Geek Squad, Norton or McAfee renewal email for hundreds of dollars? The FTC says it's a common scam. Red flags, what to do, where to report.Facebook Marketplace scams: verification codes, fake payments and overpayment
Buyer wants a code sent to your phone, sends a payment screenshot, or overpays? How Facebook Marketplace scams work and how to sell safely.Zelle scams: "send it to yourself", fake bank calls and too-good deals
A caller from "your bank" says to Zelle money to yourself to stop fraud? It's a scam. How Zelle scams work and whether you can get money back.Cash App scams: fake support, "cash flips" and payment screenshots
Someone wants your Cash App sign-in code, offers to flip $50 into $500, or overpaid you? How Cash App scams work and where to get real help.PayPal invoice scam: a bill you didn't order with "call us" in the note
Got a PayPal invoice for something you never bought, with a number to call? PayPal says don't pay it or call. What to do and how to report it.Is the DMV "unpaid traffic ticket" text a scam?
A text from "the DMV" says you have an overdue traffic ticket and your license will be suspended? The FTC says it's a scam. What to do.Phantom hacker scam: fake tech support, fake bank, fake government
The FBI's three-step "phantom hacker" scam tells older adults to move their savings to a "safe" Federal Reserve account. How to spot it and stop it.Bitcoin ATM scams: "Deposit cash to protect your money"
Told to take cash to a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money or pay a fine? It's always a scam. FTC and FBI data, red flags, and what to do."Wrong number" texts from strangers: why you shouldn't reply
A friendly text from a stranger who says they have the wrong number is often the start of a crypto or romance scam. The FTC's advice: don't reply.Task job scams: paid to "like" or "rate" products, then asked to deposit crypto
A text offers easy online work rating products or "boosting" apps, then you have to deposit money to get paid. The FTC says it's a task scam.Government grant scams: "You qualify for free money"
A call or message says you qualify for a government grant for bills or repairs, for a fee? The FTC says it's a scam. Five signs and what to do.Fake police, FBI or sheriff calls: "There's a warrant for your arrest"
A caller says they're police, a deputy or the FBI and you'll be arrested unless you pay? The FBI says it's a scam. Red flags and what to do."We recovered your money": fund recovery scams that target scam victims
Someone from "the FBI", IC3, a lawyer or a recovery firm says they can get back money you lost to a scam, for a fee. It's another scam. Here's how to tell.
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