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.
fake refund overpayment shopping scam
Scammers posing as sellers or customer support claim they accidentally refunded too much and ask victims to return the difference, but the original refund was fake.
Never send money to anyone claiming an accidental overpayment without verifying through your bank directly
Online shoppers
U.S.
fake virus popup alert scam
Alarming browser popups claim your computer is infected and urge you to call a fake tech support number, leading to remote access exploitation and payment demands.
Force-close the browser using Task Manager or Activity Monitor without calling any number
Older adults
U.S.
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.
Never allow remote access to process a refund as legitimate companies do not operate this way
Older adults
U.S.
water bill overdue scam
Fraudsters send official-looking texts or emails claiming your water bill is overdue and your service will be suspended unless you click a link and pay immediately.
Do not click links in unexpected texts or emails about utility bills — log in to your account directly through the official website
Homeowners
U.S.
Twitter crypto promotion scam
Hacked or impersonator Twitter accounts post fake cryptocurrency promotions promising to double any crypto sent to a wallet address, stealing funds from followers.
Remember that no legitimate person or company will ever ask you to send crypto to receive more back
Social media users
Global
LinkedIn fake recruiter scam
Scammers pose as recruiters on LinkedIn, offering fake job opportunities to collect personal information, Social Security numbers, or upfront training fees from job seekers.
Verify any job offer by contacting the company directly through their official careers page or HR department
Job seekers
U.S.
fake military equipment sale scam
Scammers list military surplus gear, vehicles, or equipment on auction sites at attractive prices, collect payment, and never deliver the items.
Purchase legitimate military surplus only through GovPlanet, GovSales.gov, or other authorized government liquidation platforms.
Veterans
U.S.
rogue security software install scam
A website prompts you to install a free security tool that claims to find dozens of threats on your computer, then demands payment to remove them.
Uninstall the rogue software immediately using your system's Add/Remove Programs or a legitimate anti-malware tool like Malwarebytes.
Non-technical users
U.S.
CEO urgent request phishing scam
An email appears to come from a company executive urgently requesting a wire transfer, gift card purchase, or sensitive data, exploiting the recipient's desire to comply with authority.
Always verify unusual financial or data requests through a separate communication channel — call the executive directly.
Office workers
U.S.
password reset phishing scam
A fake password reset notification urges the recipient to click a link and enter their current credentials, which are captured by attackers.
Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website.
Office workers
U.S.
email forwarding rule hijack scam
After compromising an email account, attackers silently create forwarding rules that copy all incoming messages to an external address, enabling long-term surveillance.
After any account compromise, immediately check your email rules and forwarding settings — remove anything you did not create.
Office workers
U.S.
Zelle business payment scam
A scammer posing as a client or vendor requests business payments via Zelle, exploiting the fact that Zelle transfers are instant and irreversible — once sent, the money cannot be recovered through the platform.
Verify all payment requests by calling the vendor or client at a known phone number — do not use contact information from the email requesting payment.
Small business owners
U.S.
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.
Hang up immediately — Apple never makes unsolicited phone calls about account problems.
Older adults
U.S.
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.
Hang up immediately — Microsoft will never call you unsolicited about your computer.
Older adults
U.S.
fake Google review extortion scam
Scammers threaten to flood a business with fake negative Google reviews unless the business pays a fee, or offer to remove existing negative reviews for a price.
Do not pay — report the fake reviews to Google through your Business Profile by flagging each one as inappropriate.
Small business owners
U.S.
Craigslist romance through personal ads scam
Scammers use Craigslist personal ads or community sections to initiate fake romantic relationships, eventually requesting money for emergencies, travel, or medical bills.
Never send money to someone you have not met in person, regardless of how strong the emotional connection feels.
Older adults
U.S.
LinkedIn CEO impersonation InMail scam
Scammers create fake LinkedIn profiles of company executives and send InMail to employees requesting urgent wire transfers, gift card purchases, or confidential data.
Always verify financial requests through a separate channel — call the executive directly using a known phone number.
Finance professionals
U.S.
USPS tracking number phishing scam
Phishing emails provide a fake USPS tracking number and link, directing recipients to a spoofed tracking page that installs malware or steals personal information.
Track packages only by entering the tracking number directly at usps.com — never click tracking links in emails.
Online shoppers
U.S.
UPS My Choice account phishing scam
A phishing email claims your UPS My Choice account needs verification or has been compromised, directing you to a fake login page to steal your credentials.
Log in to your UPS My Choice account by typing ups.com directly into your browser.
UPS My Choice members
U.S.
Zillow agent impersonator scam
Scammers impersonate licensed real estate agents listed on Zillow, contacting potential buyers or renters to collect personal financial information or upfront fees under the guise of facilitating a transaction.
Verify any agent's identity by calling their brokerage directly using the number listed on the brokerage website.
Homebuyers
U.S.
eBay Motors vehicle scam
Fake vehicle listings on eBay Motors offer cars at below-market prices, with sellers insisting payment be made through a fake eBay vehicle purchase protection program before the buyer can inspect the car.
eBay does not offer a vehicle purchase protection escrow program — any reference to it is a scam.
Car buyers
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
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 Zillow listing rental scam
Scammers copy real property listings from Zillow and repost them at below-market rent, then collect deposits from multiple victims for a property they do not own.
Reverse image search listing photos to check if they appear on other sites.
Renters
U.S.