Scam Alerts
Scammers are getting smarter — but so can you. Learn the red flags for the most common scams and what to do if you encounter one.
Fake Tech Support Call
Red Flags
- •Unsolicited call claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your ISP
- •Caller asks you to install remote-access software
- •They claim your computer has a virus they can see remotely
- •Pressure to pay immediately by gift card or bank transfer
What To Do
- ✓Hang up immediately — legitimate companies never cold-call about viruses
- ✓Never give remote access to someone who calls you
- ✓Report the number to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357
- ✓If you gave access, disconnect from the internet and run a full antivirus scan
Phishing Email
Red Flags
- •Sender address doesn't match the company it claims to be from
- •Generic greeting like "Dear Customer" instead of your name
- •Urgent language: "Your account will be closed in 24 hours"
- •Links that don't match the official website when you hover over them
What To Do
- ✓Don't click any links or download attachments
- ✓Check the sender's email address carefully
- ✓Go to the company's website directly by typing the URL yourself
- ✓Report the email as phishing in your email client
Bank Text Scam
Red Flags
- •Text message claiming suspicious activity on your account
- •Contains a link to a website that looks like your bank
- •Asks you to enter your full banking details or PIN
- •Uses urgency: "Reply within 2 hours or your account will be frozen"
What To Do
- ✓Never click links in texts claiming to be from your bank
- ✓Call your bank directly using the number on your card
- ✓Forward scam texts to 7726 (UK) to report them
- ✓Delete the message after reporting
Lottery / Prize Scam
Red Flags
- •You've "won" a competition you never entered
- •Asked to pay a fee to release your winnings
- •Request for personal details like passport or bank info
- •Poor grammar and spelling in the message
What To Do
- ✓Remember: you can't win a lottery you didn't enter
- ✓Never pay a fee to collect a "prize"
- ✓Don't share personal or financial information
- ✓Report to your local fraud agency
Online Shopping Scam
Red Flags
- •Prices that are too good to be true (e.g. 90% off designer items)
- •Website has no contact information or physical address
- •No reviews, or only 5-star reviews that sound fake
- •Only accepts bank transfer or cryptocurrency — no card protection
What To Do
- ✓Research the seller — check Trustpilot and social media
- ✓Use a credit card for purchase protection
- ✓Look for HTTPS and a padlock icon (but note scammers use these too)
- ✓If scammed, report to your bank and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Romance Scam
Red Flags
- •Online relationship moves very fast — declarations of love within days
- •They can never video call or meet in person
- •Sob story followed by a request for money
- •They ask you to send money via wire transfer or gift cards
What To Do
- ✓Never send money to someone you haven't met in person
- ✓Reverse-image search their profile photos
- ✓Talk to a trusted friend or family member about the relationship
- ✓Report the profile to the dating platform and police
Grandparent Scam
Red Flags
- •Caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble (arrested, in hospital)
- •Begs you not to tell anyone else in the family
- •Asks for money urgently via wire transfer or gift cards
- •May pass the phone to a fake "lawyer" or "police officer"
What To Do
- ✓Hang up and call your grandchild directly on their known number
- ✓Verify the story with other family members
- ✓Never send money based on an unexpected phone call
- ✓Report the call to police
Investment Scam
Red Flags
- •Promises of guaranteed high returns with no risk
- •Pressure to invest quickly before you "miss out"
- •Unsolicited contact via social media, email, or phone
- •Company isn't registered with the financial regulator
What To Do
- ✓Check the FCA register (UK) or SEC database (US) for the company
- ✓Never invest based on pressure or urgency
- ✓Be wary of celebrity endorsements — they're often fake
- ✓Seek independent financial advice before investing
Unclaimed Funds / Property Scam (March 2026)
Red Flags
- •Call or text saying you're eligible for thousands in unclaimed property
- •They use fake government agency names to sound official
- •They ask for a fee to "search" for your unclaimed funds
- •Pressure to act quickly before the money is "returned to the state"
What To Do
- ✓The government will NEVER ask you to pay them to find unclaimed money
- ✓Search for unclaimed property yourself for free at your state's official website
- ✓Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- ✓Never give personal or financial details to unsolicited callers
AI Voice Clone "Grandchild in Trouble" Scam (2026)
Red Flags
- •A call from someone who sounds exactly like a family member
- •They claim to be in an emergency — arrested, in hospital, or stranded
- •They beg you not to tell other family members
- •They need money wired or sent via gift cards immediately
What To Do
- ✓Hang up and call the person back on their real number
- ✓Set up a family safety word that only your family knows
- ✓Remember: AI can now clone anyone's voice from just a few seconds of audio
- ✓Report the call to local police and the FTC
FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Scams
Red Flags
- •Websites selling tickets at suspiciously low or high prices
- •Fake or copycat sites that look like official FIFA pages
- •Sellers asking for payment via bank transfer, gift cards, or crypto
- •Tickets offered via social media DMs or unsolicited emails
What To Do
- ✓Only buy tickets through official FIFA channels (FIFA.com/tickets)
- ✓Never pay for tickets via bank transfer or gift cards
- ✓Check the URL carefully — scam sites often misspell "FIFA"
- ✓Report fake ticket sites to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
ESTA Travel Application Scams
Red Flags
- •Copycat websites that look like the official US government ESTA site
- •They charge far more than the real $21 ESTA application fee
- •Some sites take your money and never submit the paperwork
- •Ads at the top of search results leading to unofficial sites
What To Do
- ✓Only apply for ESTA at the official site: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- ✓The real fee is $21 — anything much higher is a scam
- ✓Be careful clicking ads in search results for government services
- ✓Report copycat sites to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Fake Debt Relief Companies (2026)
Red Flags
- •Company promises to eliminate your debt quickly for a fee
- •They pressure you to stop paying your creditors directly
- •Unsolicited calls, texts, or emails offering debt relief
- •They ask for large upfront fees before doing any work
What To Do
- ✓Legitimate debt relief companies never guarantee to eliminate your debt
- ✓Never pay upfront fees for debt relief services
- ✓Contact your creditors directly or speak to a free nonprofit credit counsellor
- ✓Report fake debt relief companies to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Fake Mortgage Relief Call Scam (April 2026)
Red Flags
- •Unsolicited call claiming they can lower your mortgage payments or save you from foreclosure
- •They ask for an upfront fee before doing any work — this is illegal under federal law
- •They tell you to stop contacting your lender directly
- •They pressure you to sign documents or pay by wire transfer, gift card, or Zelle
What To Do
- ✓Hang up — legitimate mortgage help programs never cold-call you asking for money first
- ✓Contact your mortgage servicer directly using the number on your monthly statement
- ✓Find free HUD-approved housing counselors at hud.gov or call 800-569-4287
- ✓Report the call to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general
Fake "Expiring Reward Points" Text Scam (April 2026)
Red Flags
- •Text claims your airline miles, store points, or credit card rewards are about to expire today — and includes a link to "save" them
- •The link goes to a site that looks like a real retailer or airline but asks for your login, credit card, or Social Security number
- •Message creates urgency: "Your points expire TODAY — click now or lose them"
- •The sender is an unknown number or the text arrives completely out of nowhere
What To Do
- ✓Do not click the link — open the company's official app or type their website address yourself instead
- ✓Check your rewards balance there directly — if points were really expiring, it will show up in your account
- ✓Turn on spam filters: AT&T Call Protect, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and Verizon Call Filter are all free
- ✓Report the scam text to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward it to 7726 (SPAM)
Fake Product Recall Scam (April 2026)
Red Flags
- •Message claims a product you bought has been recalled for a "safety issue" — with a link to get your refund
- •The message appears to come from a trusted store like Amazon, Walmart, Costco, or Target
- •Uses urgent language: "Process your refund immediately to ensure your safety"
- •Clicking the link takes you to a login page designed to steal your username and password
What To Do
- ✓Never click the link in the message — even if it looks completely official
- ✓Open the store's app yourself (or type their web address) and check your order history there
- ✓Real product recalls show up directly in your account — you will never need to click a link in a text
- ✓If you think the recall might be real, call the retailer using the phone number on their official website
- ✓Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-382-4357
Fake Traffic Violation Text Scam (April 2026)
Red Flags
- •Text claims you have an unpaid traffic ticket, toll violation, or moving violation — even if you don't remember getting one
- •Message uses urgent language: "Pay within 24 hours to avoid license suspension" or "Final notice — 35% fee applies"
- •Includes a link to pay that looks official but goes to a fake website designed to steal your card number
- •May include a fake case number or legal code to seem more convincing
What To Do
- ✓Do not click the link — delete the text immediately
- ✓If you think the fine might be real, look up your state's official DMV or toll authority website yourself (never use a link from a text)
- ✓You can verify real traffic violations by calling your local court or DMV using a number from the official government website
- ✓Report the scam text to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward it to 7726 (SPAM)
"Your Social Security Number Was Suspended" Scam (April 2026)
Red Flags
- •Caller uses your real name or partial Social Security number — this does NOT mean the call is real
- •They claim your SSN has been "suspended" or linked to criminal activity
- •They threaten arrest and say a federal agent will come to your home
- •They ask you to withdraw cash or record yourself saying your personal information
What To Do
- ✓Hang up immediately — the SSA never threatens arrest, never demands cash, and never sends agents to your door
- ✓Do not call back any number they give you — find the real SSA at ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213
- ✓Never give your SSN or address over an unexpected call, even if the caller already knows some of your details
- ✓Report it to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or call 800-269-0271
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