Scammers often pose as legitimate companies or support representatives to gain trust. For example, you might receive a call, email, or message from someone claiming to be customer support for your bank or payment platform, asking for personal information or account details. They may even use phishing websites or emails designed to look exactly like official communication from these services. Be cautious of any unsolicited contact from companies asking for sensitive information.

In this scam, fraudsters entice you with promises of large sums of money, gift cards, or valuable items in exchange for small “processing fees” or personal information. Once you send the money or share your details, the scammer vanishes. Legitimate giveaways will never ask for payment or sensitive information upfront, so it’s essential to be skeptical of any too-good-to-be-true offers.

This scam involves fraudsters offering to “flip” your money, promising that if you send a small amount, they will return it multiplied. It’s a common tactic on social media, where scammers often claim they can double or triple your cash in minutes. However, the scammer simply takes your money without providing any returns.

Phishing scams trick users into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers, by pretending to be a legitimate entity. These scams often occur through emails or messages that seem to come from your bank, payment provider, or even a friend. The message will usually contain a link to a fake website designed to steal your details.

In this scam, a buyer claims to have sent a payment, but you either never receive the funds or the transaction is later reversed. This is common in selling platforms where scammers may show you a screenshot of a fake payment confirmation to trick you into sending the item before verifying the transaction.

Scammers offer fake job opportunities or loans that require you to pay upfront fees or provide sensitive personal information. In a job scam, fraudsters may ask for a “processing fee” or sensitive details like your social security number for a job that doesn’t exist. For loan scams, you may be asked for an upfront payment to secure a loan, which never materializes.

Always verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information. If someone claims to be from customer support or a company representative, contact the company directly using official communication channels (like their website or customer service line) to confirm their legitimacy. Don’t trust unsolicited messages, especially those that ask for personal or financial information.

Never share your personal or financial details, such as your social security number, bank account information, or login credentials, with anyone you don’t trust completely. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information through unsecured channels like email, text messages, or social media.

If you receive an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use giveaways or investment opportunities to lure victims. Do your research before participating in any online promotions or sending money. Genuine giveaways don’t ask for upfront fees or sensitive information.

Make sure you are using strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, before accessing your account.

When selling items online or receiving payments, always ensure that funds have been successfully deposited into your account before delivering goods. Don’t rely on screenshots or emails from buyers that claim a payment has been sent. Instead, check your payment platform or bank account to confirm that the transaction has been completed.

Avoid transferring money to people you don’t know well, especially through methods that don’t offer consumer protections. Scammers often ask for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services because these payments are harder to trace and recover.

As soon as you realize you’ve been scammed, cease all communication with the fraudster. Continuing to engage with the scammer could result in further losses or complications.

If any unauthorized transactions have occurred, report them immediately to your bank or payment platform. Many services offer limited protection against fraudulent charges, but you must act swiftly to increase the chances of recovering your funds.

If you suspect your account details or login credentials have been compromised, change your passwords immediately. Use unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication to further protect your accounts.

Notify the platform or company where the scam occurred (e.g., your payment app, social media platform, or bank) so they can investigate the issue and prevent others from falling victim. You can also report the scam to federal authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or through websites like IdentityTheft.gov.

After falling victim to a scam, keep a close eye on all your accounts for unusual activity or unauthorized transactions. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report to prevent further harm.

Dealing with a scam can be stressful and overwhelming. Seek support from trusted friends, family, or professionals if needed. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it’s important to remember that being scammed can happen to anyone.