Common scams, in plain words
Pick the one that looks like what you got. Each page shows what the message looks like, the signs to look for and what to do if it already went too far.
These pages are general teaching about common patterns. They cannot tell you whether a message you received is a scam: to check yours, paste it into the tool. Nothing you type there is sent or saved.
- A call from your bank's "fraud department"Someone says they are your bank, says your money is in danger and asks you to "move it to a safe account" or read out a code.Read the guide
- Tech-support pop-ups: "your computer is infected"A loud warning on your screen, or a call, says your computer has a virus and sends you to a phone number for help.Read the guide
- Fake renewal and invoice messages (Geek Squad, antivirus, PayPal)A message says a plan you never bought has renewed and charged you a large amount, and gives a number to call to cancel.Read the guide
- Unpaid toll and package-delivery textsA text says a package could not be delivered or a toll is unpaid, and links to a page to pay a small fee.Read the guide
- Government impersonation: IRS, Social Security, policeSomeone claims to be a government office or an officer, says you are in legal trouble and demands that you call or pay.Read the guide
- "Grandma, I'm in trouble": family emergency callsA call or message says a grandchild or relative is in trouble and needs money quickly and secretly.Read the guide
- Wrong-number texts that turn into crypto investingA friendly text from a stranger "by mistake" becomes a chat, then a tip about a crypto investment that only ever takes money in.Read the guide
- Offers to get your money back: the second scamAfter a loss, someone offers to get your money back for a fee, which is a second scam aimed at people who already lost money.Read the guide
- Job offers and overpayment checksAn easy, well-paid job sends you a check, tells you to keep some of it and to send the rest on, and the check later bounces after the money you sent is gone.Read the guide
- Romance scams: someone who "loves" you and needs moneySomeone you met online says they love you, then needs gift cards, crypto or fees for travel, customs or leave papers, and each payment is followed by a new reason to send more.Read the guide
- Webcam blackmail emails: "I recorded you"An email says a hacker recorded you through your webcam and will send the video to your contacts unless you pay, and in almost every email like this there is no video.Read the guide
- Prize and lottery wins: "You won, pay a fee to claim it"A message says you won a prize or a lottery you never entered, then asks for a fee, a gift card or your bank details before you can claim it.Read the guide
- Buying and selling online: payment tricksA buyer or seller online says a payment app needs a "business account" you must pay for, sends too much and asks for the difference back, or asks you to read out a code to prove you are real.Read the guide