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Scams targeting low-income households
Low-income households are disproportionately targeted by scams that promise financial relief: fake government grants, predatory loans, advance-fee tricks, and utility shutoff threats. These scams work because financial pressure makes urgent offers harder to evaluate critically.
Common searches
Why this audience gets targeted
- Financial stress makes offers of grants, loans, and government aid feel urgent and harder to question.
- Scammers know low-income households may have fewer resources to verify claims or recover from losses.
- Utility shutoff threats and benefit suspension calls create panic that overrides careful decision-making.
What to check first
- Verify any government grant or benefit offer through the official agency website. Real grants never require upfront fees.
- Research any lender through your state's financial regulator before sharing personal or banking information.
- Call your utility company directly using your bill if you receive a shutoff threat by phone, text, or email.
Airport Wi-Fi captive portal scam
A fake Wi-Fi portal at an airport asks for payment details, email credentials, or identity information before granting access.
Use a hotspot or VPN and confirm the exact airport network name.
Travelers
Global
Microsoft 365 admin consent scam
A fake Microsoft security or compliance workflow asks a business user or admin to approve an app request that silently grants attacker access.
Review app consent requests directly from the official admin console before approving anything.
IT admins
Global
email lottery winner notification scam
Victims receive an official-looking email claiming they won a lottery they never entered, then are asked to pay taxes or processing fees to claim the prize.
Legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment to claim winnings
Older adults
Global
Publishers Clearing House impersonator scam
Scammers impersonate Publishers Clearing House, telling victims they have won a major prize but must pay fees or buy gift cards to receive it.
Publishers Clearing House never requires payment to claim a prize and their prize patrol visits without prior notice
Older adults
U.S.
foreign lottery advance fee scam
Victims are told they won a foreign lottery, often claiming to be from Spain, the Netherlands, or the UK, and must pay customs, taxes, or legal fees to collect.
It is illegal for US residents to participate in foreign lotteries, so any notification is fraudulent by definition
Older adults
Global
sweepstakes processing fee scam
Victims receive official-looking letters or emails claiming they won a sweepstakes but must pay a processing fee to receive their prize check.
Never pay any fee to claim a sweepstakes prize as legitimate sweepstakes cover all costs
Older adults
U.S.
scratch card guaranteed winner scam
Scammers distribute fake scratch cards through mail or in person that always show a winning prize, then direct victims to call a number and pay fees to collect.
Be suspicious of any scratch card received unsolicited that shows you as a winner
Older adults
U.S.
car winner notification scam
Victims receive a call, email, or letter claiming they won a new car but must pay taxes, registration fees, or delivery charges before receiving it.
Legitimate car giveaways handle tax obligations as part of the prize and never require upfront payment
Older adults
U.S.
inheritance from unknown relative scam
Scammers pose as attorneys or bank officials claiming the victim has inherited money from a distant or unknown relative, requiring fees to release the funds.
Verify any inheritance claim through an independent attorney, not through contacts provided in the email
Older adults
Global
fake streaming service subscription scam
Scammers impersonate popular streaming platforms and collect payment for subscriptions that never grant access to any content.
Always navigate to streaming services directly by typing the URL — never click email links.
Online subscribers
U.S.
fake debt collector call scam
A caller impersonates a debt collector and pressures the victim to pay a debt that either does not exist or is not legitimately owed to the caller.
Request a written debt validation letter — legitimate collectors are required to provide one under the FDCPA.
People with debt
U.S.
jail threat debt collection scam
A scammer threatens the victim with arrest and imprisonment for an unpaid debt, a practice that is illegal under federal law.
Know that you cannot be jailed for unpaid consumer debt in the United States.
People with debt
U.S.
housing list fee scam
A service charges a fee for access to rental listings that are freely available on public sites, outdated, or already rented.
Search free listing sites first — most legitimate rentals are listed publicly.
Renters
U.S.
gas company impersonator scam
Criminals pose as gas company employees, either by phone or at your door, claiming there is a gas leak or billing issue to gain access to your home or steal payment information.
Never let anyone into your home without verifying their identity — call the gas company directly to confirm any scheduled visits
Homeowners
U.S.
solar panel door-to-door scam
High-pressure door-to-door salespeople misrepresent solar panel costs, savings, and government incentive programs to lock homeowners into predatory contracts or collect large upfront deposits.
Never sign a contract on the same day — take time to get competing quotes from licensed solar installers
Homeowners
U.S.
winterization home protection scam
Scammers target homeowners before winter, offering bogus pipe insulation, furnace inspections, or weatherproofing services at inflated prices for work that is never completed or done poorly.
Check your utility company for legitimate weatherization assistance programs, especially LIHEAP for low-income households
Homeowners
U.S.
income-driven repayment plan enrollment scam
Scammers charge fees to enroll borrowers in income-driven repayment plans that are freely available through federal loan servicers, and may collect personal data for identity theft.
Apply for income-driven repayment plans for free through your federal loan servicer or at StudentAid.gov
Borrowers
U.S.
health insurance marketplace phishing scam
Phishing emails and fake websites impersonate Healthcare.gov or state marketplace sites to steal personal information and financial data during enrollment periods.
Always navigate directly to Healthcare.gov or your state marketplace — never click enrollment links in emails
Patients
U.S.
Medicaid eligibility check scam
Scammers contact people claiming to verify Medicaid eligibility, collect personal and financial data, and use it to commit identity theft or file fraudulent Medicaid claims.
Contact your state Medicaid office directly using the number on your Medicaid card or Medicaid.gov to verify eligibility
Patients
U.S.
crypto wallet drainer scam
Malicious smart contracts or phishing sites trick users into signing a transaction that grants the attacker unlimited permission to transfer tokens from their wallet.
Always review transaction details carefully in your wallet before signing — revoke approvals regularly using tools like Revoke.cash
Crypto investors
Global
veteran grant scam
Scammers contact veterans claiming they qualify for a special government grant but must pay a processing or tax fee upfront to receive the funds.
Know that the government never calls to offer grants or asks for fees to release government funds.
Veterans
U.S.
fake lottery ticket scam
Scammers contact victims claiming they have won a lottery or sweepstakes and must pay taxes or fees upfront to collect their winnings.
Remember that legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment to collect winnings and taxes are deducted from the prize
Older adults
U.S.
fake antivirus app scam
Bogus antivirus apps display fake threat warnings to scare users into purchasing premium versions or granting device administrator permissions that enable data theft.
Use antivirus apps only from established security companies such as Norton, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, or Kaspersky
Smartphone users
U.S.
forex trading pool scam
Scammers recruit investors into unregistered forex trading pools promising consistent monthly profits, but use new deposits to pay existing members while pocketing the majority.
Verify any forex fund manager or trading pool is registered with the CFTC and NFA at nfa.futures.org/basicnet
Investors
U.S.
gifting circle scam
Participants are told to give a cash gift to join a circle with the promise of receiving a larger payout when they recruit enough new members, which is an illegal pyramid scheme.
Understand that gifting circles are illegal pyramid schemes regardless of what they are called
Low-income households
U.S.
social media cash gifting scam
Cash gifting schemes promoted through Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook promise that sending money to a stranger will result in receiving a larger amount back from future participants.
Never send money to strangers online in exchange for a promise of a larger return
Young adults
U.S.
blessing loom scam
The blessing loom is a pyramid scheme presented as a board or flower diagram where participants pay to enter and are promised a large payout when enough new members join below them.
Recognize that the blessing loom is an illegal pyramid scheme regardless of the language used to describe it
Low-income households
U.S.
power of attorney abuse scam
A trusted person granted power of attorney over an elderly individual's finances uses that authority to drain accounts, sell assets, or redirect funds for personal gain.
Contact Adult Protective Services (APS) in your state to report suspected financial exploitation.
Seniors
U.S.
reverse mortgage scam targeting elderly
Scammers or unscrupulous lenders push elderly homeowners into unfavorable reverse mortgage products, often using deceptive terms to strip home equity.
Consult a HUD-approved housing counselor before signing any reverse mortgage agreement.
Seniors
U.S.
rideshare vehicle rental scam
A scammer offers to rent a vehicle to aspiring rideshare drivers at inflated rates with predatory terms, often using a car that does not meet platform safety requirements.
Use official rideshare rental programs like Uber's vehicle marketplace or Hertz partnership instead of private listings.
Rideshare users
U.S.
free money from government scam
Scammers claim the government is giving away free grants to individuals, requiring only a small processing fee — no such program exists, and the fee is the scam.
The government does not contact people to offer free money — any such contact is a scam.
Low-income households
U.S.
small business grant application fee scam
A fake organization offers small business grants but requires an application fee, using professional websites and fake testimonials to appear legitimate.
Legitimate government grants are listed on grants.gov and never require application fees.
Low-income households
U.S.
pandemic relief grant scam
Scammers exploit public awareness of pandemic relief programs by offering fake COVID-19 recovery grants, collecting personal information and fees from applicants.
Verify any relief program through official government websites — usa.gov, sba.gov, or your country's equivalent.
Low-income households
U.S.
HUD housing grant scam
Scammers impersonate HUD or local housing authorities, offering grants for home purchases or repairs in exchange for upfront fees or personal information.
HUD does not call individuals to offer grants — contact your local HUD office directly at hud.gov for legitimate programs.
Low-income households
U.S.
minority business grant scam
Scammers target minority business owners with fake grants designed specifically for underrepresented entrepreneurs, collecting fees and personal data.
Research any grant opportunity through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at mbda.gov.
Low-income households
U.S.
research grant impersonation scam
Scammers impersonate research funding agencies like the NSF or NIH, sending fake award notifications that require fees or personal information to claim.
Verify any grant notification directly through the funding agency's official website and your institution's grants office.
Low-income households
U.S.
FEMA grant advance fee scam
After a natural disaster, scammers pose as FEMA representatives offering disaster relief grants that require an upfront fee to process.
FEMA never charges application fees for disaster assistance — apply directly at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA.
Low-income households
U.S.
state grant phishing scam
Phishing emails impersonate state government agencies, directing recipients to fake portals that harvest credentials and personal information under the guise of a grant application.
Access state grant programs only through official .gov websites — never through links in unsolicited emails.
Low-income households
U.S.
education grant scam
Scammers contact students or parents claiming they qualify for an education grant or scholarship that requires a fee to apply or a tax payment to receive.
Search for legitimate scholarships through your school's financial aid office, the Department of Education, or studentaid.gov.
Low-income households
U.S.
women-owned business grant scam
Fake grant programs claim to offer funding exclusively for women-owned businesses, collecting application fees and personal information from female entrepreneurs.
Research women-owned business programs through the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership at sba.gov.
Low-income households
U.S.
Coinbase customer support impersonator scam
Scammers pose as Coinbase support agents via phone calls, social media, or fake support websites to trick users into sharing login credentials or granting remote access to their devices.
Coinbase support will never call you first, ask for your password, or request remote access to your device.
Cryptocurrency investors
U.S.
Robinhood support impersonator scam
Scammers pose as Robinhood customer support on social media, forums, or phone calls, convincing users to share credentials or grant remote access to their devices.
Contact Robinhood support only through the Help section within the official Robinhood app.
Robinhood users
U.S.
home security pushy sales scam targeting seniors
Aggressive door-to-door salespeople pressure seniors into signing long-term home security contracts with hidden fees, equipment charges, and difficult cancellation terms.
Never sign a contract at the door — take the materials, read everything, and consult family or a lawyer first.
Seniors
U.S.
student credit card trap scam
Predatory credit card offers target students with promises of easy approval and rewards, hiding high interest rates, annual fees, and terms designed to trap young borrowers in debt.
Research any credit card offer independently before applying — compare APR, fees, and terms on sites like NerdWallet or Bankrate.
College students
U.S.
fake immigration lawyer scam
Individuals posing as immigration attorneys charge fees for legal services they are not licensed to provide, filing incorrect paperwork that jeopardizes victims' immigration cases.
Verify any immigration attorney's license on your state bar association's website before paying for services.
Immigrants
U.S.
visa lottery scam targeting immigrants
Scammers send emails or create websites claiming victims have won the Diversity Visa Lottery and must pay processing fees, when the real DV Lottery is free and does not notify winners by email.
The official DV Lottery is free to enter and results are only available at dvprogram.state.gov — never pay for lottery processing.
Immigrants
U.S.
ICE impersonator phone call scam
Scammers call immigrants posing as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, threatening arrest or deportation unless immediate payment is made.
Hang up immediately — ICE never calls to demand payment over the phone and does not accept gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Immigrants
U.S.
fake green card processing service scam
Fraudulent companies promise to expedite green card applications for a fee, submitting incorrect or no paperwork at all while charging thousands of dollars.
File immigration forms directly through uscis.gov or with the help of a licensed immigration attorney verified through your state bar.
Immigrants
U.S.
translation service overcharge scam targeting immigrants
Scammers operating near immigration offices charge immigrants grossly inflated prices for simple document translations, sometimes producing inaccurate or unusable translations.
Get translation quotes from multiple ATA-certified translators before committing — compare prices online.
Immigrants
U.S.
fake USCIS website scam
Scammers create websites that closely mimic the official USCIS site to collect personal information and payment from immigrants who believe they are filing legitimate immigration forms.
Always navigate directly to uscis.gov — the only official USCIS website will have a .gov domain.
Immigrants
U.S.
work permit advance fee scam
Scammers posing as employment agencies or sponsors demand upfront fees from immigrants to secure work permits or employer sponsorship that they cannot deliver.
Legitimate employers pay for sponsorship — you should never have to pay for your own work visa sponsorship.
Immigrants
U.S.
immigration bond scam
Scammers contact families of detained immigrants and demand fraudulent bond payments to secure the detainee's release, impersonating ICE officials or bondsmen.
Contact the detention facility directly or use the ICE detainee locator at locator.ice.gov to verify bond amounts and payment procedures.
Immigrants
U.S.
fake notario immigration scam
Individuals calling themselves notarios offer immigration legal services they are not qualified to provide, exploiting the fact that in many Latin American countries a notario is a licensed legal professional, while in the US a notary public has no such authority.
Only seek immigration legal advice from licensed attorneys verified through your state bar association or DOJ-accredited representatives.
Immigrants
U.S.
deportation threat robocall scam
Automated robocalls in multiple languages threaten immigrants with deportation or arrest warrants and demand immediate payment to resolve fabricated immigration violations.
Hang up on any robocall threatening deportation — the government does not use robocalls to communicate immigration enforcement actions.
Immigrants
U.S.
kids game in-app purchase trap
Children's mobile games use deceptive design patterns to trick children into making repeated in-app purchases, sometimes accumulating hundreds or thousands of dollars on parents' payment accounts.
Enable purchase authentication in your device settings so every in-app purchase requires a password or biometric confirmation.
Parents
U.S.
fake stimulus check update scam
Fraudulent messages claim a new stimulus payment is available and direct recipients to a fake IRS portal to verify their identity and banking details, stealing personal and financial information.
Know that the IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or social media about stimulus payments.
Low-income households
U.S.
fake rent relief program scam
Scammers create fake rent assistance programs with professional-looking websites, collecting application fees and personal data from tenants struggling to pay rent.
Apply for rent assistance only through official government channels at your state or county housing authority.
Renters
U.S.
utility bill assistance scam
Fraudulent calls and messages offer fake utility bill assistance programs, collecting personal data and upfront fees from people struggling to pay their energy or water bills.
Contact your utility company directly or apply for LIHEAP through your state's official program at liheapch.acf.hhs.gov.
Low-income households
U.S.
food assistance program expansion scam
Scammers promote fake expansions to SNAP or food assistance programs on social media, collecting personal information and fees from people seeking help with food costs.
Apply for SNAP only through your state's official Department of Social Services or at fns.usda.gov/snap.
Low-income households
U.S.
MLM schemes targeting immigrant communities
MLM companies target immigrant communities through cultural trust networks, church groups, and diaspora gatherings, exploiting language barriers and the desire for financial independence.
Research the company name in English — many MLM warning sites and FTC actions are only available in English.
Immigrants
U.S.
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