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Is it a scam? Find out in plain English.

Got a strange call, text, email or message? Look it up here. Every page is short, simple, and tells you exactly what to do.

Most common scams right now

These are the scams we hear about most. Does one sound familiar?

“My grandchild called crying, saying they're in jail and need money” Grandparent Scam “My bank called about fraud and wants me to move my money” Fake Bank Fraud Call “My computer screen froze with a warning to call Microsoft” Fake Virus Warning “Someone told me to buy gift cards and read them the numbers” Pay With Gift Cards “I got a text about a package I didn't expect” Fake Package Delivery Text “Someone I met online says they love me and needs money” Romance Scam

The 5 golden rules

If you only remember one thing from this website, remember these.

Real companies and police never ask for gift cards, wire transfers, Bitcoin or Zelle. If someone tells you to pay this way, it is a scam. Every time.
If they rush you or scare you, stop. Scammers want you to act before you think. A real problem can wait 10 minutes.
Hang up, and call back using a number you already trust. Use the number on your bank card, a bill, or the official website. Never the number they give you.
Never share a code that was texted to you. That code is the key to your account. Nobody honest will ever ask for it.
Never let a stranger control your computer or phone. No real company will ask you to install a program so they can “fix” something.

What happened to you?

Pick a topic, then the one that sounds most like what happened. Each page is short and easy to read.

Someone pretending to be official

“My grandchild called crying, saying they're in jail and need money” Grandparent Scam “My bank called about fraud and wants me to move my money” Fake Bank Fraud Call “Someone says they're the police and I have to pay or be arrested” Fake Police Officer Scam

See all 12 scams on this topic ›

Computer, phone and email

“My computer screen froze with a warning to call Microsoft” Fake Virus Warning “An email says my account is locked and I need to click to fix it” Fake Login or Account Email “I called a support number I found online, and they wanted money” Fake Customer Service Number

See all 9 scams on this topic ›

Love and online friends

“Someone I met online says they love me and needs money” Romance Scam “A stranger texted the wrong number and now we chat every day” “Wrong Number” Text “Someone I met online is a soldier or works overseas and needs help” Fake Soldier or Overseas Worker

Learn about romance scam in general ›

Checks, payments and money

“Someone told me to buy gift cards and read them the numbers” Pay With Gift Cards “Someone told me to put cash in a Bitcoin machine” Bitcoin Machine Scam “Someone promised me big returns with no risk” Too-Good-to-Be-True Investment

See all 15 scams on this topic ›

Shopping, buying and packages

“I got a text about a package I didn't expect” Fake Package Delivery Text “I bought something online at a great price and it never came” Fake Online Store “A buyer or seller online wants me to pay a shipping fee first” Fake Shipping Fee

See all 10 scams on this topic ›

Your home, repairs and property

“A worker at my door says my roof or driveway needs fixing” Fake Contractor “Someone at my door says they're from the water or power company” Fake Worker at the Door “Someone tried to sell or borrow against my house or land” Home Title Theft

See all 8 scams on this topic ›

Letters and mail

“A psychic sent me a letter saying great luck is coming if I send money” Psychic and Fortune Letters “I got a renewal notice for a magazine or newspaper that costs more than usual” Fake Subscription Renewal Letter “A letter offers me a copy of my house deed for $80 or more” Official-Looking Deed Copy Letter

See all 4 scams on this topic ›

Health, medicine and medical devices

“A website sells my medicine cheap with no prescription needed” Fake Online Pharmacy “An ad promises a supplement that cures my arthritis, diabetes or memory loss” Miracle Cure Products “A call offered me a free medical alert button or hearing aid” “Free” Medical Alert Device

Learn about health and medical scams in general ›

Family, caregivers and losing a loved one

“After a death in the family, someone wants money or card details” Funeral and Obituary Scams “A caregiver, new friend or relative is pressuring me about my money” Trusted Helper Taking Money

Learn about family, caregiver and loss scams in general ›

Jobs and work from home

“I was offered a job that seems too good to be true” Fake Job Offer “Someone asked me to receive money and send it on to someone else” Being Asked to Move Money “My work-from-home job is to receive packages and mail them on” Package Reshipping Job

Learn about fake job offer in general ›