$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
relative matching phishing scam
Scammers send emails posing as DNA testing services claiming a new relative match has been found, directing victims to fake login pages that steal their credentials.
“DNA test scam”
↑ 15.3%Key indicators
Usually targetsGenealogy enthusiasts
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send mass emails mimicking DNA testing companies, announcing an exciting new relative match.
2
The email links to a convincing but fake login page that captures usernames and passwords.
3
Stolen credentials are used to access the victim's account, harvest personal data, and potentially access linked email accounts.
What to do first
Never click login links in emails — go directly to the testing company's website by typing the URL in your browser.
Related terms
DNA match phishingfake relative notificationancestry login theftDNA and ancestry scamsEmailRisingGenealogy enthusiastsAdopted individualsFamiliesFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaDNA match phishingfake relative notification
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Michael, 35, a genealogy enthusiasts, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dna and ancestry scams situation while using Email. Scammers send mass emails mimicking DNA testing companies, announcing an exciting new relative match.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The email links to a convincing but fake login page that captures usernames and passwords.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen credentials are used to access the victim's account, harvest personal data, and potentially access linked email accounts.
The outcome
Michael realized something was wrong when the email urges you to log in immediately to see your new match before it expires. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never click login links in emails — go directly to the testing company's website by typing the URL in your browser. Michael's experience shows why the email urges you to log in immediately to see your new match before it expires and the login url is slightly different from the official testing company's domain are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The email urges you to log in immediately to see your new match before it expires
- The login URL is slightly different from the official testing company's domain
- The email uses generic greetings rather than your name or account details
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never click login links in emails — go directly to the testing company's website by typing the URL in your browser.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your DNA testing accounts.
- ✓Report phishing emails to the testing company and forward them to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Phishing remains the most reported cybercrime to the FBI IC3, with over 298,000 complaints in 2023 alone.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never click login links in emails — go directly to the testing company's website by typing the URL in your browser.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your DNA testing accounts.
- ✓Report phishing emails to the testing company and forward them to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Phishing remains the most reported cybercrime to the FBI IC3, with over 298,000 complaints in 2023 alone.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Genealogy enthusiasts, Adopted individuals, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Email — DNA and ancestry scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Genealogy enthusiasts are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Phishing remains the most reported cybercrime to the FBI IC3, with over 298,000 complaints in 2023 alone.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about relative matching phishing scam
How does the relative matching phishing scam work?+
Scammers send mass emails mimicking DNA testing companies, announcing an exciting new relative match. The email links to a convincing but fake login page that captures usernames and passwords. Stolen credentials are used to access the victim's account, harvest personal data, and potentially access linked email accounts.
What are the warning signs of relative matching phishing scam?+
The email urges you to log in immediately to see your new match before it expires The login URL is slightly different from the official testing company's domain The email uses generic greetings rather than your name or account details
What should I do if I encounter relative matching phishing scam?+
Never click login links in emails — go directly to the testing company's website by typing the URL in your browser. Enable two-factor authentication on your DNA testing accounts. Report phishing emails to the testing company and forward them to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
Who is most at risk for relative matching phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Genealogy enthusiasts, Adopted individuals, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Email.
Is relative matching phishing scam on the rise?+
relative matching phishing scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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