Yusra3
VIP Contributor
Scammers employ clever schemes to steal your money or personal information. Protect yourself by learning to recognize these 15 common scams:
1. Phishing
Urgent-sounding emails or fake websites request personal data like passwords or Social Security numbers to exploit.
2. Tech Support Scam
You receive a call claiming your computer has a virus. They try to install malware if you grant access.
3. Romance Scam
A sweetheart you met online asks for money for an alleged emergency or to visit. They take the money and disappear.
4. Family/Friend Imposter
Someone pretending to be a loved one contacts you asking for wire transfers, gift cards or cash.
5. IRS Scam
Crooks say you owe back taxes and fees, then demand immediate payment by wire transfer or gift card.
6. Sweepstakes/Charity
You get notified you won a contest you never entered or that you pledged a donation you can't recall.
7. Debt Relief/Credit Repair
Fake companies collect upfront fees but do nothing to actually improve your credit or lower debt.
8. Health Insurance
Scammers pose as Medicare reps, collect your personal info and sell it to other crooks.
9. Counterfeit Check
Someone sends a fake check, gets you to deposit it, then demands you wire back funds once it “clears.”
10. Pyramid Schemes
Beware recruitment pitches promising lavish wealth through recruitment rather than real product sales.
11. Fake Invoice
You get a bill for services, products or even a publication you never ordered. But no goods arrive.
12. Overpayment
A buyer pays more than your asking price but asks you to wire back the "accidental" overage.
13. Free Trial
You forget to cancel dubious free trials and get billed every month for products never approved.
14. Work from home
Scammers post fake job offers then collect fees or your personal data for "training."
15. Investment
An adviser pressures you to buy into murky, obscure or complex investments like crypto or commodities.
Stay vigilant. if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, seek advice. Don't react impulsively out of fear or excitement. Use common sense to fend off financial scammers.
1. Phishing
Urgent-sounding emails or fake websites request personal data like passwords or Social Security numbers to exploit.
2. Tech Support Scam
You receive a call claiming your computer has a virus. They try to install malware if you grant access.
3. Romance Scam
A sweetheart you met online asks for money for an alleged emergency or to visit. They take the money and disappear.
4. Family/Friend Imposter
Someone pretending to be a loved one contacts you asking for wire transfers, gift cards or cash.
5. IRS Scam
Crooks say you owe back taxes and fees, then demand immediate payment by wire transfer or gift card.
6. Sweepstakes/Charity
You get notified you won a contest you never entered or that you pledged a donation you can't recall.
7. Debt Relief/Credit Repair
Fake companies collect upfront fees but do nothing to actually improve your credit or lower debt.
8. Health Insurance
Scammers pose as Medicare reps, collect your personal info and sell it to other crooks.
9. Counterfeit Check
Someone sends a fake check, gets you to deposit it, then demands you wire back funds once it “clears.”
10. Pyramid Schemes
Beware recruitment pitches promising lavish wealth through recruitment rather than real product sales.
11. Fake Invoice
You get a bill for services, products or even a publication you never ordered. But no goods arrive.
12. Overpayment
A buyer pays more than your asking price but asks you to wire back the "accidental" overage.
13. Free Trial
You forget to cancel dubious free trials and get billed every month for products never approved.
14. Work from home
Scammers post fake job offers then collect fees or your personal data for "training."
15. Investment
An adviser pressures you to buy into murky, obscure or complex investments like crypto or commodities.
Stay vigilant. if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, seek advice. Don't react impulsively out of fear or excitement. Use common sense to fend off financial scammers.
