Types of Scams
1. Unsolicited calls or email offers
These are call from people or entities which look legitimate and from known companies, telling you your computer is affected with a serous type of virus and they can help you fix it. Don’t trust them.
These types of unsolicited communications. Can take the form of loan offers, inheritance, business partnership and many more ways for presentation. Never fall for it as the only result you may witness is the draining of your hard earned money.
2. Computer access
Don’t give access to your computer no matter what is the story behind it! If you do, you risk exposing your personal data, which include bank account, credit cards and other financially sensitive information. Do not trust them.
3. Phishing
If someone calls, texts, emails, or mails you asking for your personal information—e.g., social security number, credit card number, bank account info, passwords—send them to hell. Do not trust them, even if the appear to be a legitimate and known company.
4. Emergency scams
Sometimes called Grandparent Scams, these scams are calls or emails from someone claiming to be your friend or family member, under dire need. Even if on your caller ID appears a number you are familiar with. They could easily obtain such a number. Do not trust them.
5. IRS scams
An IRS agent contacts you and tells you that you owe back taxes and must pay immediately. If you don’t, they say they will have the police come and arrest you. They may also pretend to be local law enforcement people. They may ask you to pay immediately via wire transfer or a method you can never trace. Do not trust them.
6. Money exchange scams
Sometimes known as the Nigerian Fraud, a "government minister" (or his widow), a lawyer representing a deceased client from a foreign country, or a business owner wants to deposit money from a foreign country in your bank account. There are many variations on the same theme but they all have a similar catch. They will always ask you to pay "transaction fees." Do not trust them.
7. Fake cashier check
This is also referred to as “overpayment scam.” It looks like the real thing: A cashier's check drawn on a familiar bank is as good as gold, right? Wrong. The counterfeit checks in circulation today are high-quality forgeries. They might even fool your bank at first. You are asked to deposit their cashier’s check into your bank, keep some of the funds, and wire back the rest of the extra payment. Do not trust them.
8. Bogus debts
You receive a threatening letter or email that demands payment of a debt you've never heard of. Scammers will demand payment on fake debts because a few people will be scared into paying. Real, legitimate creditors will be able to produce proof that a debt exists in the first place. If indeed the debt is real and you weren't aware of it, you may be the victim of identity theft. Don’t fall for it.
9. Home repair scams
Beware of unsolicited door-to-door home improvement offers. If it is a one-time offer—"available only today!"—or a special deal on materials left over from another job, be very cautious. If your home needs repairs, better call a few home repair companies and investigate their references. Do not trust them.
10. Business opportunities and employment
Jobs that ask you to pay upfront for training or equipment, or send you checks to deposit, are often scams — especially if you don't have any independent information on the company. See the above counterfeit check scams and be suspicious. If the offer is too good to be true is is most likely so. Do not trust. No one pays to get a job.
11. Shopping sprees
You get a phone call, offering you a some dollar amount. They say they're from a well-known company or a government agency. The caller may ask for your bank account number in order to collect a small fee. They say the fee is for shipping and handling of your vouchers. It's a scam! Do not trust them.
12. Job offer scams
With so many people unemployed in the USA, , job offer scams are a common way for scammers to prey on the desperation of others. Frequently appearing on job boards like Indeed and Linkedln, This Internet scam may come in different form with offers of very little work yet very high pay. Do not trust them.
13. Nigerian Prince scam
The Nigerian Prince scam, also known as fraud number 419, is a type of advance fee scam in which a fraudster strikes up a conversation, shares an emotional story, and convinces their target to send money to help transfer assets or access their tied-up funds. This type of scam is infamous, but many people still fall for it, especially as criminals up the ante with more complex stories and promises. Never trust them.
14. Social media scams
Social media scams continue to dupe users into entering fake giveaways, buying low quality or nonexistent products, pursuing made-up romantic partners, following fake influencers, and sending money to mutuals.These scams can be found nearly everywhere: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Linkedln, Yubo, Threads, TikTok, you name it. Never trust them even if the offer looks very lucrative.
15. Ransomware scams
A cybercriminal may infect your computer with ransomware after a successful online scam. Once installed, the malware encrypts your files and the attacker demands a ransom, in order to send you a special code that will release your files. The ransom payment is often required in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Do not fall for it. You may part from your money but never get anything to return your computer to a normal condition. Make sure to maintain your data in a safe place, outside your computer so f such an event occurs, you can always redo your computer and recover your important data. Do not fall for this type of scam. Ever.
16. Purchase scams
Purchase scammers trick buyers into paying for goods or services, and then they either don't deliver or don't meet expectations. These types of scams may run rampant on online marketplaces, such as Vivid Seats, auction sites, and social media. You may also encounter those on fake websites or through email promotions. Do not respond.
17. Business and investment scams
Common business and investment scams include Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and aggressive sales tactics. These scams often overpromise and underdeliver, luring victims with false guarantees of high returns or profits. Once you invest, purchase, or join, scammers may delay payments, fail to deliver products, make excuses, or vanish altogether. Do not respond.
18. Money transfer scams
Scammers posing as legitimate sellers or entities may request money via wire transfers or
peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, claiming it's the easiest option due to distance or other excuses. While convenient with friends, these methods make it difficult to recover funds if you're scammed, as wire transfers are typically irreversible and many payment apps like Zelle offer no buyer protection. Do not fall for it.
19. “Hello pervert” scams
Most scams aren’t new. They’re often old frauds that resurface with new twists. So is the “Hello pervert” scam. Criminals email to say they’ve hacked your computer and recorded you visiting porn sites. If you don’t pay them, they’ll share evidence of your naughty behavior, with your email contact list. To increase the pressure, scammers might include photos of your home (to make you feel like you’re being watched) and spoof your email address, Do not fall for it.
20. Romance scams
Romance scams aren’t new. They follow a familiar pattern. A scammer, frequently known as a catfisher, assumes a false identity and forms relationships with victims through dating apps, messaging apps and social media. Once they establish trust, they will ask for money or suggest investments in cryptocurrency. Never fall for it.
