Common Scam Types
Scammers use many different approaches. Learn to recognize the most common types so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
🎣 Phishing
Fake emails or websites designed to steal your login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information by impersonating legitimate companies.
Red flags:
- Links to fake login pages
- Requests to "verify" your account
- Urgent warnings about account problems
- Sender email doesn't match the company
What to do:
- Don't click links in suspicious emails
- Contact the company directly using official info
- Report to phishing@company.com if available
💻 Tech Support Scams
Fake warnings about computer viruses or problems, designed to get you to pay for unnecessary "support" or give remote access to your computer.
Red flags:
- Pop-up warnings about viruses
- Phone calls claiming to be from Microsoft/Apple
- Requests for remote computer access
- Demands for payment via gift cards
What to do:
- Never give remote access to strangers
- Legitimate companies don't cold-call about viruses
- Run legitimate antivirus if concerned
❤️ Romance Scams
Fake online relationships built over weeks or months to extract money through fabricated emergencies or investment schemes.
Red flags:
- Quick professions of love
- Unable to meet in person
- Requests for money for "emergencies"
- Claims of working overseas
- Asks for gift cards or wire transfers
What to do:
- Be suspicious of fast-moving online relationships
- Never send money to someone you haven't met
- Reverse image search their photos
🏆 Prize/Lottery Scams
Claims that you've won a prize or lottery, but need to pay fees or provide information to claim it.
Red flags:
- You didn't enter any lottery
- Requests for payment to "release" winnings
- Demands for bank details
- Grammatical errors in official-looking emails
What to do:
- If you didn't enter, you didn't win
- Legitimate lotteries don't ask for fees
- Never provide bank details
🏛️ IRS/Government Scams
Fake threats from tax authorities or government agencies demanding immediate payment or personal information.
Red flags:
- Threats of arrest or legal action
- Demands for immediate payment
- Requests for gift cards or wire transfers
- Caller claims to be from IRS/Social Security
What to do:
- Government agencies don't call demanding payment
- IRS contacts by mail, not phone
- Never pay with gift cards
👴 Grandparent Scams
Fake calls from "grandchildren" or family members in distress, asking for urgent financial help.
Red flags:
- Call from an unfamiliar number
- Claims to be a grandchild in trouble
- Pressure not to tell other family
- Voice sounds different or muffled
What to do:
- Ask questions only the real person would know
- Hang up and call their real number
- Contact other family members to verify
📈 Investment/Crypto Scams
Fake investment opportunities promising guaranteed returns or pressure to invest in non-existent ventures.
Red flags:
- Guaranteed high returns
- Pressure to act immediately
- Unregistered investment platforms
- Celebrity endorsements (usually fake)
- "Risk-free" investment promises
What to do:
- Research the company thoroughly
- Be skeptical of guaranteed returns
- Check SEC.gov or FCA.org.uk for warnings
💼 Job/Employment Scams
Fake job postings or recruitment offers designed to steal personal information or get you to pay for "training" or "equipment".
Red flags:
- Job offers without interview
- Requests for payment for equipment
- Overpayment scams (send back difference)
- High pay for little work from home
- Early requests for ID documents
What to do:
- Legitimate employers don't ask for money
- Research the company thoroughly
- Be suspicious of overpayment requests
General Warning Signs
Across all scam types, watch for these universal red flags:
- Urgency — Pressure to act "right now" is almost always manipulation
- Unusual payment methods — Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency
- Requests for sensitive information — Passwords, SSN, bank details
- Too good to be true — If it seems too generous, it's probably a scam
- Grammatical errors — Many scams originate outside your country
- Threats — Legal action, arrest, deportation, account closure
Protecting Vulnerable People
Elderly people and those less familiar with technology are often targeted. If you have older family members or friends:
- Talk to them about common scams
- Encourage them to call you before responding to urgent requests
- Help them set up spam filters
- Remind them that legitimate companies don't make threats or demand gift cards