SCAM LIBRARY
Know the common scams
36 plain-language explainers — how each one works, the red flags, and what to do. Patterns documented by the FTC and FBI IC3; ScamVet never asks for your identity.
Impersonation 11
The 'family in trouble' call
A panicked message claims a grandchild or relative is in jail or stranded and needs money now.
Read →The fake tech-support pop-up
A fake warning pops up on your screen claiming your device has a problem and urging you to call a number or click a link—but it's not real.
Read →The tax-agency threat
A scammer pretending to be from the tax agency contacts you with threats about owing money or facing arrest, demanding immediate payment.
Read →The fake debt collector
A scammer calls claiming you owe money and demanding immediate payment, but they're not a real debt collector.
Read →The utility-shutoff threat
A scammer calls claiming your utility service will be shut off immediately unless you pay right now, but legitimate utilities don't demand instant payment by phone or gift card.
Read →The fake bank fraud alert
Scammers pretend to be your bank and create fake urgency to trick you into confirming personal details or moving money.
Read →The Social Security 'suspended' call
Scammers call pretending to be from Social Security, claiming your account is suspended or has a problem, and pressure you to act immediately.
Read →The Medicare / health-plan scam
Scammers pretend to be from Medicare or your health plan, call you out of the blue, and pressure you to give personal details or payment right away.
Read →The loan-forgiveness scam
Scammers pretend to work for a loan-forgiveness program and pressure you to pay an upfront fee to qualify for debt relief you don't actually need.
Read →The refund overpayment call
A scammer pretends to represent a company or government agency and claims you were overpaid, then pressures you to send money back immediately.
Read →The disaster-relief impersonation
Scammers impersonate disaster-relief organizations to trick people into sending money or sharing personal details during emergencies.
Read →Money & payment 13
The gift-card demand
Someone insists you pay a bill, fine, or fee with gift cards. It's always a scam.
Read →The fake investment platform
A fake investment platform tricks you into sending money by promising unusually high returns, then disappears with your cash.
Read →The 'you've won' prize scam
You receive unexpected news that you've won a prize or lottery you never entered, and are asked to pay fees or share personal details to claim it.
Read →The too-good job offer
Scammers pose as hiring managers offering quick, easy, high-paying jobs—then ask you to pay upfront or hand over personal information before you ever start.
Read →The mystery-shopper scam
In this scam, someone promises you easy money to evaluate a store or restaurant, but then asks you to wire or transfer funds that you never get back.
Read →The fake charity appeal
A fake charity appeal pressures you to donate quickly by claiming an urgent cause, but the money goes to scammers instead of helping people in need.
Read →The business-email invoice swap
A scammer pretends to be someone from your company or a trusted vendor and sends a fake invoice or payment request that looks real enough to fool you into sending money.
Read →The real-estate closing wire fraud
Scammers impersonate someone involved in your home purchase and trick you into wiring closing funds to the wrong account.
Read →The 'free government grant'
Scammers claim you've been selected for a free government grant, but ask you to pay upfront fees or share personal information to claim it.
Read →The fake-check overpayment
Someone sends you a check for more than you're owed, then pressures you to send back the overage—but the check turns out to be fake, leaving you responsible for the full amount.
Read →The celebrity crypto giveaway
A scammer impersonates a famous person and promises to multiply your money through cryptocurrency, but the goal is to steal your cash.
Read →The advance-fee loan
Scammers pose as lenders and promise you a loan, but first ask you to pay an upfront fee—money you'll never see again.
Read →The 'free vacation' scam
Scammers offer an exciting free or heavily discounted vacation to lure you into paying hidden fees, membership costs, or 'processing charges' that you'll never get back.
Read →Phishing & links 6
The 'verify your account' email
A message warns your account is locked and tells you to click a link to verify.
Read →The malicious QR code ('quishing')
A scammer sends you a QR code (often by text, email, or posted somewhere public) that looks legitimate but secretly directs you to a fake website designed to steal your login details or payment information.
Read →The fake subscription-renewal invoice
Scammers send fake invoices that look like renewal notices from services you use, pressuring you to pay quickly for something you may not have signed up for.
Read →The bank/delivery phishing text
Scammers send texts that look like they're from your bank or a delivery company, asking you to click a link or confirm your details, but they're trying to steal your information.
Read →The spoofed caller-ID call
Scammers call you pretending to be a trusted organization by manipulating the phone number that shows up on your screen.
Read →The one-time-code (2FA) theft
Scammers trick you into sharing a one-time code that's meant to protect your account, then use it to break in while pretending to be you.
Read →Buying & selling 3
The fake rental listing
Someone posts an attractive rental listing online, collects a deposit or payment, then disappears—the property was never theirs to rent.
Read →The puppy / pet-purchase scam
Scammers pose as pet breeders or rescues online, take your money for a cute puppy or pet, then disappear without delivering anything.
Read →The marketplace overpayment
In this scam, someone buys an item from you and sends more money than agreed, then pressures you to refund the overage—but the payment was never genuine.
Read →Relationships 1
Threats & blackmail 1
Deliveries 1
Report a scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Explainers are reviewed educational content, not legal or financial advice.