Understanding Common Scams

Fraudulent emails, texts, or websites designed to steal your personal information like passwords or credit card numbers by mimicking legitimate entities.

Scammers create fake online relationships to gain your trust and affection, eventually asking for money for emergencies, travel, or other fabricated reasons.

Fraudsters pose as representatives from well-known tech companies, claiming your computer is infected and demanding payment to fix it or gain remote access.

Scammers offer fake investment opportunities with guaranteed high returns and low risk to lure you into investing money that is ultimately lost.

Fraudulent online stores sell non-existent products, use stolen images, or fail to deliver items after payment, often targeting popular or discounted goods.

Criminals pretend to be government officials, utility companies, or law enforcement to intimidate you into paying fines or providing personal information.

You are told you've won a large prize or lottery but must pay fees, taxes, or provide personal details upfront to claim it – the prize never exists.

Fake job offers require upfront payments for equipment, training, or background checks, or trick you into providing personal info for identity theft.

Scammers promote fake crypto investments, fraudulent exchanges, Ponzi schemes, or pose as legitimate wallets to steal your digital assets.

Criminals trick you into authorizing a bank transfer to their account by impersonating trusted contacts or creating fake emergencies.

Scammers claim to have compromising videos or information and threaten to release it unless you pay them money, often demanding cryptocurrency.

Fraudsters create fake charities, especially after disasters or tragedies, to solicit donations that line their own pockets instead of helping victims.

Scammers exploit the fame of celebrities to trick you into giving money or information through fake giveaways, endorsements, or investment tips.

Fraudsters promise easy profits in foreign exchange trading through fake platforms, signal services, or "expert" systems designed to steal your money.

Deceptive "high/low" betting platforms promise easy money but are rigged or designed to prevent withdrawals, stealing your investment.