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 online store non-delivery scam
Fraudulent websites mimic legitimate retailers, collect payment for products, and never ship anything. Victims discover the store vanishes within weeks.
Dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company immediately
Online shoppers
Global
social media shop scam on Instagram
Scam accounts on Instagram promote products through polished posts and stories, collect payment via direct messages or external links, and never deliver.
Only purchase through platforms with buyer protection such as official marketplace checkout
Social media users
Global
fake product reviews manipulation scam
Sellers use fake five-star reviews, paid review farms, and review manipulation to make low-quality or dangerous products appear trustworthy.
Use review analysis tools like Fakespot or ReviewMeta to assess review authenticity
Online shoppers
Global
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.
TikTok shop too-good-to-be-true pricing scam
Products advertised on TikTok at unbelievably low prices turn out to be scams, with sellers collecting payment and shipping nothing or sending worthless items.
Research the seller and product independently before purchasing from social media ads
Young adults
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.
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.
Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls
Older adults
U.S.
fake antivirus software scam
Scammers distribute fake antivirus programs through deceptive ads or downloads that either do nothing, display fake threats to demand payment, or contain actual malware.
Only download antivirus software from well-known, reputable vendors directly from their official websites
Non-technical users
Global
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.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete or force-restart the computer as real blue screens never include phone numbers
Windows users
U.S.
fake subscription renewal notification scam
Scammers send fake emails or calls claiming your antivirus, software, or tech support subscription is about to auto-renew for a large amount, urging you to call to cancel.
Check your actual subscriptions through the software company's official website or your bank statements
Non-technical users
Global
disaster relief charity scam
Scammers exploit natural disasters and emergencies by setting up fake charities or impersonating real ones to collect donations that never reach victims.
Donate only through established charities verified on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or your local government's charity registry
Donors
Global
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 child sponsorship charity scam
Scammers impersonate or create fake child sponsorship programs, collecting monthly donations that never reach any children in need.
Only sponsor children through well-established organizations verified on Charity Navigator or GuideStar
Donors
U.S.
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.
Take time to research any charity before donating, even during the holidays
Donors
U.S.
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.
Verify political organizations through the FEC's database at fec.gov before donating
Donors
U.S.
student loan forgiveness scam
Scammers pose as government or loan servicer representatives, charging upfront fees for student loan forgiveness applications that are actually free.
Apply for forgiveness programs directly at studentaid.gov at no cost.
Students
U.S.
power company disconnection threat scam
Scammers call or text pretending to be your electric utility, claiming your power will be shut off within hours unless you pay immediately via gift card or wire transfer.
Hang up and call your utility company directly using the number on your bill or their official website
Homeowners
U.S.
smart meter upgrade scam
Scammers contact homeowners claiming they need to pay for a mandatory smart meter upgrade or risk losing service, when in reality utility-provided meter upgrades are free.
Contact your utility directly to ask about any meter upgrade programs — legitimate upgrades are provided and installed at no cost
Homeowners
U.S.
solar panel door-to-door scam
High-pressure door-to-door salespeople misrepresent solar panel costs, savings, and government incentive programs to lock homeowners into predatory contracts or collect large upfront deposits.
Never sign a contract on the same day — take time to get competing quotes from licensed solar installers
Homeowners
U.S.
winterization home protection scam
Scammers target homeowners before winter, offering bogus pipe insulation, furnace inspections, or weatherproofing services at inflated prices for work that is never completed or done poorly.
Check your utility company for legitimate weatherization assistance programs, especially LIHEAP for low-income households
Homeowners
U.S.
utility overpayment refund scam
Scammers call claiming you overpaid your utility bill and need to provide bank details or remote computer access so they can process your refund, then drain your account.
Hang up and call your utility company directly — legitimate overpayments are credited to your next bill automatically
Homeowners
U.S.
broadband internet service scam
Fraudsters impersonate internet service providers, calling to offer fake discounts, upgrades, or to fix non-existent connection problems, then steal payment or personal information.
Hang up on unsolicited ISP calls and contact your provider directly using the number on your bill
Homeowners
U.S.
student loan forgiveness application fee scam
Scammers charge upfront fees to help you apply for federal student loan forgiveness programs that are actually free to apply for through official government channels.
Apply for all federal forgiveness programs for free at StudentAid.gov — no third party is needed
Students
U.S.
student loan consolidation scam
Fraudulent companies offer to consolidate your student loans for a fee, performing a service that the federal government provides for free, and may worsen your repayment terms.
Apply for federal Direct Consolidation Loans for free at StudentAid.gov
Borrowers
U.S.