Learn how common scams work, the warning signs to watch for, and what to do. A warning sign is not proof; always verify independently.
A text claims you owe an unpaid toll and threatens late fees or penalties if you don't pay today.
Protect yourself: Don't tap the link; check your account on the toll agency's website or app that you already know.
Read guide →A text says your package is on hold and asks for a small redelivery fee or an address update.
Protect yourself: Check tracking in the carrier's official app or by typing its website yourself.
Read guide →A caller claiming to be your bank's fraud team asks for a code, your login, or a transfer to a "safe" account.
Protect yourself: Hang up and call the number printed on your bank card or statement.
Read guide →Someone claiming to be from the IRS threatens arrest unless you pay back taxes right away.
Protect yourself: Hang up and check your tax account through the official IRS website.
Read guide →A caller says your Social Security number is suspended or linked to a crime and demands payment or details.
Protect yourself: Hang up, don't share your number, and contact Social Security through its official website.
Read guide →Someone says you qualify for a free government grant if you pay a processing fee first.
Protect yourself: Never pay for a government grant, and look up programs on official .gov sites yourself.
Read guide →A caller posing as an immigration official threatens deportation unless you pay immediately.
Protect yourself: Hang up and check your case through official USCIS channels or a qualified immigration lawyer.
Read guide →A caller asks for your Medicare number or bank details to replace, renew or activate your Medicare card.
Protect yourself: Hang up and contact Medicare using the number on your card or the official Medicare website.
Read guide →A browser warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a support number right away.
Protect yourself: Don't call; close the browser and run your own trusted security software.
Read guide →A stranger asks you to install screen-sharing software so they can fix an urgent problem or process a refund.
Protect yourself: Never grant remote access to someone who contacted you; disconnect right away if you already did.
Read guide →A sticker, flyer, or message has a QR code that leads to a fake payment or login page.
Protect yourself: Check where the code leads before entering any information, and pay through official apps or sites.
Read guide →Someone offers to recover a hacked or locked account for a fee.
Protect yourself: Use only the platform's own official recovery process, which is free.
Read guide →A caller or message asks you to read back a one-time login or verification code.
Protect yourself: Never share authentication codes with anyone who contacts you.
Read guide →Someone moves your phone number to their own SIM card or phone so they can get your codes and access your accounts.
Protect yourself: Add a PIN or port-out protection with your carrier and use stronger sign-in methods.
Read guide →An email that looks official sends you to a fake login page to steal your password or payment details.
Protect yourself: Open the account using a saved bookmark or the official app instead of the email link.
Read guide →An email that appears to be from a boss, vendor or partner asks for an urgent, secret payment or a change in bank details.
Protect yourself: Verify every payment request by calling the person at a number you already have on file.
Read guide →An email or invoice from a trusted vendor suddenly announces new bank or wire instructions.
Protect yourself: Call the vendor at a phone number you already had on file before changing any payment details.
Read guide →An unexpected bill demands payment for a product or service you never ordered.
Protect yourself: Check every invoice against your purchase records before paying.
Read guide →An email that seems to come from an employee asks payroll to change their direct deposit account.
Protect yourself: Confirm every deposit change with the employee in person or at a phone number on file.
Read guide →Someone insists you pay a bill, fine, or fee with gift cards.
Protect yourself: Do not buy the cards; no real business or government agency asks to be paid with gift cards.
Read guide →Someone pressures you to send money by wire before you have a chance to check their story.
Protect yourself: Verify the recipient and the bank instructions independently before you send any wire.
Read guide →A cryptocurrency investment pitch promises quick, guaranteed, or no-risk profits.
Protect yourself: Check registration with regulators and walk away from any guaranteed-return promise.
Read guide →A trading website shows big profits but demands fees or taxes before you can withdraw.
Protect yourself: Stop depositing money and contact your bank or the exchange you used to send funds.
Read guide →An online romantic interest you have never met in person asks you for money.
Protect yourself: Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.
Read guide →A new online friend steers your conversations toward a supposedly can't-miss investment.
Protect yourself: Get independent advice and never use apps, sites, or links an online friend gives you.
Read guide →A caller claiming to be a grandchild or relative needs money immediately for bail, a hospital, or an accident.
Protect yourself: Hang up and call your relative or another family member at a number you already know.
Read guide →A familiar-sounding voice calls in a panic and urgently asks for money, gift cards, or a code.
Protect yourself: Hang up and call the person back at a number you already know is theirs.
Read guide →A realistic video of a public figure or executive urges you to invest or send money.
Protect yourself: Check the person's official channels and independent news before acting on any video.
Read guide →Ads falsely claim a celebrity backs a product, investment, or giveaway.
Protect yourself: Confirm any endorsement on the celebrity's verified channels before you buy or invest.
Read guide →A recruiter or employer asks you to pay before you can be hired.
Protect yourself: Research the employer yourself and never pay for the promise of a job.
Read guide →An online job pays you for simple tasks, then makes you deposit money to keep earning.
Protect yourself: Never pay money to get paid, unlock tasks, or withdraw earnings.
Read guide →A new employer sends a check and asks you to buy equipment or send part of the money back.
Protect yourself: Don't send money from a check you deposited; ask your bank about the check first.
Read guide →A rental listing asks for a deposit or application fee before you can see the home.
Protect yourself: See the property in person and verify the owner before paying anything.
Read guide →A company promises to stop foreclosure or lower your mortgage if you pay a fee upfront.
Protect yourself: Call your mortgage servicer or a free HUD-approved housing counselor instead.
Read guide →A new online store offers huge discounts but has little real contact information.
Protect yourself: Research the seller before buying and pay with a credit card.
Read guide →A buyer says they overpaid for your item and asks you to refund the difference.
Protect yourself: Confirm payment in your own account and never refund an "overpayment."
Read guide →A reseller offers hard-to-get tickets at suspicious prices and wants payment that has no buyer protection.
Protect yourself: Buy from the official box office or a reputable resale site, and pay with a credit card.
Read guide →An email or text says you were charged for a costly renewal and gives a phone number to cancel.
Protect yourself: Ignore the message and check the subscription by logging in to your own account.
Read guide →A seller online asks for shipping, crate, or insurance fees for a puppy or kitten you have never seen.
Protect yourself: Meet the pet in person or adopt through a local shelter or rescue you can visit.
Read guide →A fundraiser uses a disaster or sad story to push for urgent donations by cash, gift card, or wire.
Protect yourself: Look up the charity yourself and give directly through its official website.
Read guide →A fake fundraiser copies a real person's story, photos, or tragedy to collect donations.
Protect yourself: Verify the organizer and the beneficiary independently before giving.
Read guide →You are told you won a prize or lottery but must pay a fee, tax, or charge first.
Protect yourself: Do not pay to claim a prize, and do not share bank details with the caller.
Read guide →A prize promotion hides recurring charges or asks for card numbers and other sensitive details.
Protect yourself: Read the terms and verify the organizer before entering, and never pay to enter or win.
Read guide →A caller threatens arrest or a lawsuit over a debt they will not prove in writing.
Protect yourself: Ask for a written validation notice and check the debt yourself before paying.
Read guide →A company guarantees it can erase accurate negative items from your credit report for a fee.
Protect yourself: Never pay upfront for credit repair, and review your credit reports yourself for free.
Read guide →A fake alert says your identity was stolen and asks you to upload ID documents through a link.
Protect yourself: Contact the organization through its official website or the number on your statement.
Read guide →A company charges fees to sign you up for federal student loan relief you can get for free.
Protect yourself: Work directly with your loan servicer and StudentAid.gov, and never pay for federal loan help.
Read guide →A scholarship or financial aid offer requires a fee before you can apply or collect the money.
Protect yourself: Research every program yourself and never pay to apply for or receive a scholarship.
Read guide →A fake travel site or agent offers cheap flights or hotels, takes your money, and gives you no real booking.
Protect yourself: Confirm every reservation directly with the airline or hotel before you travel.
Read guide →A host asks you to message or pay outside the booking platform, often for a discount.
Protect yourself: Keep all messages and payments inside the booking platform, and verify the property before you pay.
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SCAM AWARENESS