Scam category
Misinformation scams
Misinformation scams monetize outrage and fear by packaging false or misleading content as breaking news, then funneling emotionally activated audiences toward fraudulent donations, fake merchandise, or data-harvesting sign-ups. These operations blur the line between propaganda and financial fraud, using political polarization and social media algorithms as amplification tools.
Category activity
“misinformation scam”
↑ 1147%Watch for
- A sensational news story leads to a donation page with no verifiable organization behind it.
- Political fundraising emails use extreme urgency and matching-gift claims that cannot be verified.
- A news site has no editorial staff, contact information, or publication history beyond a few weeks.
Common searches
OpenScam News Feed
fake celebrity death clickbait scam
Viral social media posts falsely report a celebrity's death to generate clicks on links that lead to malware downloads, phishing sites, or ad-fraud pages.
Verify any celebrity death news by checking reputable news outlets before clicking social media links.
Social media users
U.S.
fake product recall notification scam
Fraudulent emails or posts mimic official product recall notices from the CPSC or manufacturers, directing recipients to phishing sites that collect personal data under the guise of processing refunds.
Verify all product recalls at cpsc.gov or the manufacturer's official website before taking any action.
Parents
U.S.
AI-generated fake news site scam
Entire news websites are created using AI-generated content to look like legitimate local or national news outlets, publishing fabricated stories to drive traffic to ad-fraud pages or promote scam products.
Check whether the news site has an About page with real editorial staff and contact information.
News readers
U.S.
fake government announcement scam
Fabricated government announcements about policy changes, new benefits, or emergency orders are spread on social media to drive traffic to phishing sites or generate disinformation-fueled engagement.
Verify any government announcement through official .gov websites or official social media accounts with verified badges.
General public
U.S.
fake bank failure news scam
False news reports claim that a major bank is failing or freezing accounts, causing panic and driving victims to phishing sites where they enter banking credentials trying to check their accounts.
Check financial news from reputable sources like Reuters, Bloomberg, or the FDIC at fdic.gov before reacting.
Bank customers
U.S.
viral health misinformation product scam
Fabricated health claims and fake medical studies are spread on social media to sell unregulated supplements, cures, or medical devices that are ineffective or dangerous.
Verify health claims through PubMed, the FDA, or by asking your healthcare provider.
Health-conscious consumers
U.S.
fake data breach notification scam
Scammers send fake data breach notification emails impersonating well-known companies, directing recipients to phishing sites where they re-enter credentials or financial data to check if they were affected.
Go directly to the company's official website to check for any breach announcements.
Account holders
U.S.
fake court ruling news scam
Fabricated news about major court rulings is spread on social media to provoke outrage and drive clicks to ad-fraud sites, phishing pages, or donation scams.
Verify court rulings through official court websites, PACER, or established legal news outlets.
Political followers
U.S.
fake company bankruptcy news scam
False reports about major companies filing for bankruptcy are spread to manipulate stock prices or drive traffic to phishing sites targeting the company's customers.
Verify company financial news through SEC filings at sec.gov/edgar, the company's investor relations page, or established financial media.
Investors
U.S.
fake disaster update donation scam
After natural disasters, scammers spread fabricated updates about the disaster's severity to drive donations to fraudulent relief funds that pocket the money.
Donate only to established relief organizations like the Red Cross, directly through their official websites.
Donors
U.S.
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