Georgia, United States

Scams in Atlanta

Active scams and fraud schemes targeting people in Atlanta (500K population). These scams are tracked across United States and are known to affect residents in the Atlanta area. Learn the warning signs, check what is trending, and find out where to report.

893 scams trackedPopulation: 500KπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United StatesAll countries

Report fraud in Atlanta

Where to report scams

If you have been scammed in Atlanta, report it through the official United States channels. Acting fast improves your chances of recovery and helps protect others in your area.

Scam index

Scams affecting people in Atlanta

893 scams tracked across United States

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

cold call tech support scam

Scammers call victims unprompted, claiming to be from a major tech company, and warn of a fictitious security issue to gain remote access or extract payment.

What to do first

Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

Microsoft impersonator tech support scam

Scammers impersonate Microsoft support via calls, emails, or popups, claiming your Windows license or account is compromised and demanding payment or remote access.

What to do first

Microsoft never makes unsolicited tech support calls or sends unsolicited security warnings with phone numbers

Targets

Windows users

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

tech support refund overpayment scam

Scammers claim you are owed a refund for a tech support subscription, then pretend to accidentally deposit too much and ask you to return the difference.

What to do first

Never allow remote access to process a refund as legitimate companies do not operate this way

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

screen-sharing bank access trap scam

Scammers use screen-sharing during fake tech support sessions to watch victims log into bank accounts, then take control to transfer money.

What to do first

Never log into financial accounts during any screen-sharing session initiated by an incoming caller

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

fake blue screen of death scam

Malicious websites or software trigger a fake Windows blue screen error with a tech support phone number, tricking victims into calling scammers.

What to do first

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete or force-restart the computer as real blue screens never include phone numbers

Targets

Windows users

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

fake AppleCare warranty scam

Scammers call or email claiming your AppleCare warranty is expiring, pressuring you to renew immediately through a fraudulent payment process.

What to do first

Hang up on unsolicited calls about AppleCare β€” Apple does not make outbound warranty renewal calls.

Targets

iPhone users

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

FaceTime screen recording scam

Scammers initiate a FaceTime call, trick the victim into sharing sensitive information on screen, then use the recording for blackmail or identity theft.

What to do first

Never share your screen on FaceTime with anyone you did not initiate the call with.

Targets

Young adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

fake Apple support call scam

Robocalls or live callers impersonate Apple Support, claiming your iCloud account has been breached and requesting remote access to your device or payment to fix the issue.

What to do first

Hang up immediately β€” Apple never makes unsolicited phone calls about account problems.

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

Find My iPhone ransom scam

After compromising an Apple ID, scammers use Find My to remotely lock the victim's iPhone or Mac and display a ransom message demanding payment to unlock it.

What to do first

Contact Apple Support directly at support.apple.com with proof of ownership to regain access to your account.

Targets

iPhone users

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

Windows license expired popup scam

A fake browser popup claims your Windows license has expired and you must call a support number or pay immediately to reactivate, leading to tech support fraud.

What to do first

Close the browser using Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) if the popup cannot be dismissed normally.

Targets

Windows users

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

fake Microsoft support call scam

A caller claiming to be from Microsoft says they have detected a virus or security problem on your computer and requests remote access to fix it for a fee.

What to do first

Hang up immediately β€” Microsoft will never call you unsolicited about your computer.

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Tech support scams
↑ 64%

Windows Defender alert popup scam

A fake browser popup mimics a Windows Defender alert claiming your computer is infected, urging you to call a fraudulent support number immediately.

What to do first

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and use Task Manager to force-close the browser β€” do not call the number.

Targets

Windows users

Seen in

U.S.

AI impersonation
↑ 52%

Fake lawyer court date payment call

A caller pretending to be a lawyer uses cloned voices and legal jargon to say you missed a court date and need to pay immediately to avoid arrest.

What to do first

End the call and contact the court through its public website or number.

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Government impersonation
↑ 52%

Jury duty arrest payment scam

A caller says you missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest.

What to do first

Call the court using its official public number before doing anything.

Targets

Older adults

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

veteran and military charity scam

Fraudulent organizations use names similar to legitimate veteran charities to solicit donations, with most or all funds going to the operators rather than veterans.

What to do first

Verify veteran charities on Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before donating

Targets

Donors

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

religious charity donation scam

Scammers exploit religious trust by posing as faith-based charities or church representatives to solicit donations that are never used for their stated religious or charitable purpose.

What to do first

Verify religious charities through your denomination's official directories and on Charity Navigator

Targets

Religious communities

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

fake animal rescue charity scam

Scammers set up fake animal rescue organizations or social media accounts to collect donations using photos of abused or injured animals they are not actually helping.

What to do first

Verify animal rescues through your state's charity registry and the BBB

Targets

Pet lovers

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

fake child sponsorship charity scam

Scammers impersonate or create fake child sponsorship programs, collecting monthly donations that never reach any children in need.

What to do first

Only sponsor children through well-established organizations verified on Charity Navigator or GuideStar

Targets

Donors

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

holiday season giving scam

Scammers exploit the generosity of the holiday season with fake charitable appeals, pop-up organizations, and impersonation of well-known charities to steal donations.

What to do first

Take time to research any charity before donating, even during the holidays

Targets

Donors

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

fake political donation scam

Scammers create fake political action committees or impersonate real campaigns to collect donations that go to personal enrichment instead of political causes.

What to do first

Verify political organizations through the FEC's database at fec.gov before donating

Targets

Donors

Seen in

U.S.

Charity scams
↑ 57%

crowdfunding community project fraud

Scammers create crowdfunding campaigns for fake community projects such as parks, memorials, or neighborhood improvements, collect donations, and disappear.

What to do first

Verify that community project campaigns are endorsed by local government or established nonprofits

Targets

Donors

Seen in

U.S.

IRS and tax scams
↑ 52%

IRS impersonator phone call scam

A caller claims to be from the IRS and threatens arrest, deportation, or license revocation unless you pay an alleged tax debt immediately over the phone.

What to do first

Hang up immediately β€” the IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest.

Targets

Taxpayers

Seen in

U.S.

IRS and tax scams
↑ 52%

tax refund phishing email scam

An email impersonating the IRS or a tax software company claims you are owed a refund and directs you to a fake website to steal your personal and financial information.

What to do first

Do not click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS β€” the IRS does not initiate contact by email.

Targets

Taxpayers

Seen in

U.S.

IRS and tax scams
↑ 52%

W-2 employer phishing scam

Scammers impersonate a company executive via email and request that HR or payroll send employee W-2 forms, exposing names, SSNs, and income data for mass identity theft.

What to do first

Verify any executive request for tax data by calling the executive directly using a known phone number.

Targets

Small business owners

Seen in

U.S.

Other cities in United States