All scams, A to Z

Every scam in our library, in alphabetical order. Or search for a word below.

B

Being Asked to Move MoneySomeone asked me to receive money and send it on to someone else
Bitcoin Machine ScamSomeone told me to put cash in a Bitcoin machine
Buyer Wants to Send Me a CodeA buyer online wants to text me a code to prove I'm real

C

Car Warranty RobocallA recorded call says my car warranty is about to expire
Cash or Gold PickupSomeone is sending a courier to pick up cash or gold from my house
Computer and Email ScamsMy computer showed a warning, or I got a strange email

D

Debt Relief and Credit RepairA company promises to wipe out my debt or fix my credit for a fee

F

Fake Account Recovery HelpSomeone offered to get my hacked account back
Fake AI Voice and VideoA family member called in trouble, but something felt off
Fake Amazon Charge or RefundAmazon says I was charged for something, or owed a refund
Fake Apple or Google Security CallSomeone from Apple or Google called saying my account was hacked
Fake Bank Fraud CallMy bank called about fraud and wants me to move my money
Fake Celebrity MessagesA famous person messaged me on Facebook and wants to stay in touch
Fake CharitySomeone asked me to donate to a cause I've never heard of
Fake Check ScamSomeone sent me a check and asked me to send part of it back
Fake ContractorA worker at my door says my roof or driveway needs fixing
Fake Customer Service NumberI called a support number I found online, and they wanted money
Fake Debt CollectorA debt collector says I'll be arrested if I don't pay today
Fake Event TicketsSomeone online is selling tickets to a sold-out show or game
Fake Gift Card Balance WebsiteI checked my gift card balance online and now the money is gone
Fake Insurance AgentAn agent sold me cheap insurance and now I can't find my policy
Fake IRS Tax CallSomeone from the IRS says I owe taxes and must pay today
Fake Job OfferI was offered a job that seems too good to be true
Fake Login or Account EmailAn email says my account is locked and I need to click to fix it
Fake Medicare CallSomeone from Medicare wants my number for a new card or free test
Fake Money Recovery HelpSomeone says they can get back the money I lost to a scam
Fake Moving CompanyMy moving company raised the price and won't give back my things
Fake Online PharmacyA website sells my medicine cheap with no prescription needed
Fake Online StoreI bought something online at a great price and it never came
Fake Package Delivery TextI got a text about a package I didn't expect
Fake PayPal BillI got a PayPal bill or invoice I don't recognize
Fake Police Officer ScamSomeone says they're the police and I have to pay or be arrested
Fake QR CodeI scanned a QR code to pay for parking and something seemed wrong
Fake Rental ListingI found a great rental, but the owner is away and wants a deposit first
Fake Shipping FeeA buyer or seller online wants me to pay a shipping fee first
Fake Social Security CallSomeone says my Social Security number is suspended
Fake Soldier or Overseas WorkerSomeone I met online is a soldier or works overseas and needs help
Fake Subscription Renewal EmailI got an email saying I was charged for Norton or Geek Squad
Fake Subscription Renewal LetterI got a renewal notice for a magazine or newspaper that costs more than usual
Fake Unpaid Toll TextI got a text saying I owe money for an unpaid toll
Fake Utility Shut-OffThe power company says they'll shut off my electricity today
Fake Virus WarningMy computer screen froze with a warning to call Microsoft
Fake Worker at the DoorSomeone at my door says they're from the water or power company
Family, Caregiver and Loss ScamsSomeone is taking advantage of my family or a loss we suffered
Free Cruise and Travel Deal ScamI won a free cruise or vacation, but I have to pay taxes or fees
Free Government GrantSomeone says I qualify for a free government grant
Free Solar Panels PitchA salesperson says I can get free solar panels from the government
Fun Quiz Posts That Steal AnswersA fun Facebook post asks for my first pet, first car or mother's maiden name
Funeral and Obituary ScamsAfter a death in the family, someone wants money or card details

G

Grandparent ScamMy grandchild called crying, saying they're in jail and need money

H

Hacked Friend's AccountA friend messaged me asking for a code or money
Health and Medical ScamsSomeone offered me cheap medicine, a cure, or a free medical device
Home and Property ScamsSomeone came to my door, or something is wrong with my house or property
Home Title TheftSomeone tried to sell or borrow against my house or land

I

Impersonation ScamsSomeone says they're from the police, a company, or someone I know

L

Letter and Mail ScamsI got a letter or notice in the mail that seems strange
Lonely-Hearts LettersA pen pal I write to by mail is asking me for money

M

Miracle Cure ProductsAn ad promises a supplement that cures my arthritis, diabetes or memory loss
Missed Jury Duty Call or TextSomeone says I missed jury duty and must pay a fine
Money and Check ScamsSomeone wants me to pay in a strange way, or promised me money

O

Official-Looking Deed Copy LetterA letter offers me a copy of my house deed for $80 or more

P

Package Reshipping JobMy work-from-home job is to receive packages and mail them on
Pay With Gift CardsSomeone told me to buy gift cards and read them the numbers
Phone Number TakeoverMy cell phone suddenly says “No Service” or “SOS only”
Psychic and Fortune LettersA psychic sent me a letter saying great luck is coming if I send money
Puppy and Pet ScamI'm buying a puppy online, but now there are shipping and crate fees

R

Reverse Mortgage ScamSomeone is pushing me to get a reverse mortgage or sign over my house
Robocalls and “Can You Hear Me?” CallsA strange call asked “Can you hear me?” or a recording asked me to press 1
Romance ScamSomeone I met online says they love me and needs money

S

Shopping and Delivery ScamsSomething about buying, selling or a delivery seems wrong
Social Media ScamsSomething strange happened on Facebook, Instagram or another app
Student Loan Forgiveness ScamSomeone offers to get my student loans forgiven for a fee
Surprise InheritanceA lawyer overseas says a relative left me millions

T

Timeshare Resale or Exit ScamSomeone has a buyer for my timeshare, but I have to pay first
Too-Good-to-Be-True InvestmentSomeone promised me big returns with no risk
Trusted Helper Taking MoneyA caregiver, new friend or relative is pressuring me about my money

Y

You Won a Prize ScamI'm told I won a lottery or sweepstakes, but I have to pay a fee

“

“Free Trial” That Keeps ChargingI paid a few dollars for a free sample and now I'm charged every month
“Free” Medical Alert DeviceA call offered me a free medical alert button or hearing aid
“I Hacked Your Camera” EmailAn email says they hacked my computer and will share private videos
“I Sent You Money by Mistake”A stranger sent me money on Zelle or Venmo and wants it back
“Wrong Number” TextA stranger texted the wrong number and now we chat every day