Scam index
Find the scam you are dealing with.
Search by keyword, filter by category or risk level, and open any scam to see the full breakdown — warning signs, what to do, and where to report it.
FedEx Express customs fee scam
A phishing email claims your FedEx Express international shipment requires a customs clearance payment before delivery, directing to a fake payment portal.
Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges.
International shoppers
U.S.
dropshipping extreme markup scam
Stores resell cheap items from wholesale marketplaces at extreme markups, often 5-10x the original price, while advertising them as exclusive or premium products.
Use reverse image search on product photos before purchasing from unfamiliar stores
Online shoppers
U.S.
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.
Verify veteran charities on Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before donating
Donors
U.S.
fake vacation rental scam
Scammers post fake vacation rental listings using photos stolen from legitimate properties, collect full payment or deposits, then leave travelers with no accommodation upon arrival.
Book and pay only through the official platform (Airbnb, Vrbo) and never send money outside the platform.
Travelers
U.S.
fake travel agency scam
Fraudulent travel agencies advertise all-inclusive summer packages at unbeatable prices, collect full payment, and then provide no services, leaving travelers stranded.
Verify travel agencies through the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) directory and check for state seller of travel registration.
Travelers
U.S.
fake Red Cross donation scam
Scammers impersonate the American Red Cross after disasters, soliciting donations through fake websites, phone calls, and social media that divert funds from legitimate relief efforts.
Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK).
Donors
U.S.
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
pet insurance scam
A company sells pet insurance with attractive premiums but denies claims using broad pre-existing condition exclusions or turns out to be an unlicensed entity.
Verify the pet insurance company through your state's insurance department.
Pet owners
U.S.
cashier's check fraud
Scammers produce convincing counterfeit cashier's checks that initially pass bank verification but are later returned as fraudulent.
Call the issuing bank directly using a number from their official website to verify any cashier's check.
Sellers
U.S.
odometer rollback fraud
The odometer reading is tampered with to show fewer miles, making the vehicle appear less used and worth more than its actual value.
Compare the odometer reading against the vehicle history report, which records mileage at each title transfer and inspection.
Car buyers
U.S.
timeshare resale scam
A company contacts timeshare owners claiming to have a buyer ready to purchase their timeshare but requires upfront fees that are never recovered.
Never pay upfront fees to sell a timeshare — legitimate resale companies charge commissions only after a sale closes.
Timeshare owners
U.S.
title company impersonation scam
Scammers create fake email addresses and websites that closely mimic a real title company, sending buyers fraudulent closing documents and wire instructions.
Verify the sender's exact email domain character by character before acting on any wire instructions.
Homebuyers
U.S.
mortgage payoff redirect scam
Scammers intercept mortgage payoff communications and redirect the final payment to a fraudulent account, stealing the homeowner's entire remaining mortgage balance.
Verify mortgage payoff wire instructions by calling the lender directly at the number on your mortgage statement.
Homebuyers
U.S.
real estate attorney impersonation scam
Scammers impersonate the buyer's or seller's real estate attorney, sending fraudulent wire instructions for closing funds from an email that closely resembles the attorney's real address.
Verify all wire instructions by calling your attorney at the number on their business card or official website.
Homebuyers
U.S.
Medicare fraud targeting elderly
Scammers pose as Medicare representatives to steal personal information or bill Medicare for services and equipment never provided to the beneficiary.
Never share your Medicare number with unsolicited callers — Medicare will not call to ask for your number.
Seniors
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.
HOA insurance fraud scam
Scammers pose as insurance agents claiming the HOA's master policy has lapsed, pressuring homeowners to purchase individual coverage through a fraudulent insurer.
Contact your HOA board to verify the status of the master insurance policy.
Homeowners
U.S.
romance scam on senior dating site
Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites popular with seniors, build emotional relationships over weeks or months, then request money for fabricated emergencies.
Never send money to someone you have only met online, regardless of how strong the connection feels.
Seniors
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 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.
AI-generated news anchor scam
Scammers create fake news broadcasts using AI-generated anchors who report fabricated stories designed to promote fraudulent products, investments, or political disinformation.
Cross-reference any news clip with the official website of the network it claims to represent.
Seniors
U.S.
porch pirate package theft scam
Thieves systematically follow delivery trucks or use tracking information from data breaches to steal packages from doorsteps during the peak holiday shipping season.
Use delivery lockers, require signature confirmation, or have packages delivered to a secure location like your workplace.
Online shoppers
U.S.
fake holiday travel deal scam
Scammers advertise deeply discounted holiday travel packages via social media and email, collecting full payment for flights and hotels that are never booked.
Book travel through established platforms and verify any deal by calling the airline or hotel directly with the confirmation number.
Travelers
U.S.
Florida toll violation notice text scam
Scammers send text messages posing as Florida toll authorities, claiming the recipient has an unpaid toll violation with an attached fine that must be paid immediately through a phishing link.
Contact the Central Florida Expressway Authority or Florida's Turnpike at their official numbers to verify any violation.
Florida drivers
U.S.