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1. Identity Theft, Phishing, and Pharming Scams
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How to identify the scam: Scammers pose as trusted organizations or someone you trust and solicit personal information.
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How to avoid it: Be cautious of suspicious requests for sensitive data.
The FTC explains it like this... The message could be from a scammer, who might:
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t.
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t.
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t.
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake.
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware.
2. Phone Call Scams
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How to identify the scam: Unsolicited calls from purported reputable organizations can be deceptive.
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How to avoid it: Verify the caller's legitimacy by hanging up and contacting the company directly.
3. Debt Collection Scams
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How to identify the scam: Watch out for aggressive debt collectors demanding personal information.
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How to avoid it: Ask for details to confirm authenticity before making any payments.
4. Fake Government Scams
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How to identify the scam: Demands for money or personal details from alleged government agencies (IRS, FBI, Medicare).
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How to avoid it: Ask for details to confirm authenticity before giving away personal information.
5. Scam Text Messages
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How to identify the scam: Unsolicited messages requesting personal information, requesting payment, or for you to click a link.
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How to avoid it: Delete the message and don't click on any links.
6. Loan or Credit Fixer Scams
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How to identify the scam: False promises of business or personal loans even if your credit is bad or for credit repair services. They will often ask for a fee upfront.
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How to avoid it: Don't make upfront payments and verify the legitimacy of services and companies before paying anything or providing personal details.
7. Fake Prizes, Sweepstakes, Free Gifts, or Lottery Scams
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How to identify the scam: Convincing messages that claim you won some sort of prize, lottery, or gift that requires a small fee or to enter your personal details.
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How to avoid it: Disregard claims of winnings that you didn't enter or require payment upfront. Genuine lotteries don't ask for fees to claim prizes.
8. Online Shopping Scams
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How to identify the scam: Purchasing something online, either on a bogus website that is slightly misspelled or from an online marketplace where you have to pay before you actually receive the product.
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How to avoid it: Exercise caution with online purchases, especially from unfamiliar websites. Research, read reviews, and use secure payment methods to minimize risks.
9. Car-Related Scams
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How to identify the scam: Basically anything to do with a car (car loans, car buying, auto repairs or warranties) that sound too good to be true or from an institution you've never heard of.
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How to avoid it: Be wary of car-related transactions. Verify vehicle history, verify institution legitimacy, and avoid online transactions with untrustworthy sources.
10. Fake Check Scams
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How to identify the scam: Fraudulent checks, especially if something looks wrong on the check, you don't recognize the bank name or there's an overpayment in the amount.
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How to avoid it: Verify checks with issuing banks (not using the contact details on the check) and avoid wiring money to unknown parties.
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