Common Scams Library

Hook

"Grandma? It's me, Tommy. I'm in trouble — please don't tell Mom and Dad."

How it works

A frantic young voice (or AI clone of one) calls claiming to be your grandchild. They are in jail / a hospital / stranded. They need money fast — usually gift cards or wire transfer. They beg you not to tell their parents.

Red flag

The "do not tell anyone" demand. Real family emergencies welcome a second opinion. Scammers need you isolated.

What to do

Hang up. Call the grandchild directly on a number you know is real. If you cannot reach them, call their parents. The scam falls apart in 5 minutes when you do.

Hook

"This is the IRS. There is a warrant for your arrest for unpaid taxes. Pay $987 immediately with Apple gift cards or you will be jailed today."

How it works

Aggressive caller claims to be from the IRS, sometimes with a spoofed Caller ID. Demands payment in gift cards or wire. Threatens arrest, deportation, license suspension.

Red flag

The IRS does not call. Ever. They write paper letters. They do not take gift cards. They do not threaten arrest by phone.

What to do

Hang up. If worried about real tax issues: irs.gov or 1-800-829-1040. Report the call to TIGTA at tigta.gov.

Hook

Pop-up: "Your computer has been infected — call Microsoft Support at 1-800-..."

How it works

Browser pop-up that locks the screen. Loud beeping. Phone number to call. The "tech" wants to remote into your computer, then asks for hundreds in "support fees" — often paid by gift card.

Red flag

Microsoft and Apple do not show you their phone number on a pop-up. Real anti-virus does not lock your browser.

What to do

Close the browser tab (or force-quit if it will not close). Restart the computer. Run a virus scan. Never call the number, never give remote access.

Hook

A handsome stranger DMs you online. He is a doctor, military officer, or oil-rig worker. He is widowed.

How it works

Weeks of warm conversations. He cannot video call (camera broken / on a remote base). He starts with a small ask — money for a sick child, a customs fee, a flight to come visit. The asks escalate. He is never able to actually meet.

Red flag

Cannot video call. Always traveling. Asks for money, gift cards, or crypto. Profile photos look professional / model-like.

What to do

Stop. Reverse-image-search his photos at images.google.com. Tell a trusted family member or friend everything. Block. Report to FTC and IC3. You are not alone.

Hook

"This is Medicare. We need to verify your number to send your new card / brace / DNA test."

How it works

Free orthopedic brace. Free genetic test. Free diabetic supplies. Hand over your Medicare number and address and the scammer bills Medicare for fake services — and sometimes resells your number.

Red flag

Medicare does not call you. They mail letters. They do not give away free braces.

What to do

Hang up. Never give your Medicare number to a caller. Report at 1-800-MEDICARE or oig.hhs.gov.

Hook

"Congratulations! You won $4 million in the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. Pay $500 in fees to release your prize."

How it works

You won — but they need a "processing fee" or "tax payment" first. They send a fake check that bounces a week later. By then you have already wired the difference to them.

Red flag

You did not enter a contest you do not remember. Real winnings never require you to pay first.

What to do

Delete the email. Hang up the phone. Real Publishers Clearing House never asks for money up front.

Hook

"This is your power company. Your service will be cut off in 30 minutes if you do not pay $487 immediately."

How it works

Caller claims you missed a payment. Demands gift card / wire / Zelle. Shows up especially during heat waves and cold snaps when shutoff threats feel real.

Red flag

Real utilities mail multiple notices before any shutoff. They do not call once and demand a same-hour payment.

What to do

Hang up. Look at your last paper utility bill — call THAT number to verify your account status.

Hook

Text: "USPS: Your package cannot be delivered. Click here to confirm your address: [link]"

How it works

Looks like a USPS, FedEx, UPS, or Amazon delivery alert. Link goes to a fake site that asks for credit card "to pay a redelivery fee" — actually steals your card.

Red flag

You did not order a package. The link is not amazon.com or usps.com — it is something like "usps-track-204.co" with random numbers.

What to do

Do not click. Forward the text to 7726 (free spam-reporting number). Delete.

Hook

"This is the Bank of America fraud department. We've detected suspicious charges on your account."

How it works

Legitimate-sounding caller. Asks you to verify your identity by reading a 6-digit code that landed on your phone. The code is your real bank's 2-factor — and they use it to take over your account.

Red flag

No real bank ever asks you to read a verification code aloud. Ever.

What to do

Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card. If the bank really sees fraud, you can find out for sure that way.

Hook

"Help victims of [recent disaster]. Donate now, every dollar goes directly to families."

How it works

Pop-up after every disaster — hurricane, fire, earthquake. Fake charity names, sometimes copying real ones (American Red Cros vs Red Cross). Pressure to give now, by gift card or wire.

Red flag

High pressure. Asks for gift cards or wire transfer. Charity name is "almost" a real one.

What to do

Verify at give.org or charitynavigator.org before donating. Real charities accept credit cards, not gift cards.

Hook

"Earn $5,000/week from home — package re-shipping. Apply now."

How it works

You "process" packages or checks at home. The packages are stolen goods, the checks are fraudulent. When they bounce, you owe the bank thousands.

Red flag

Pay seems too good. Asks you to use your own bank account for "processing".

What to do

Walk away. Real jobs do not pay in advance. Real jobs do not ask you to handle other people's checks.

Hook

Email: "Your McAfee subscription auto-renews tomorrow at $499. Cancel below if needed."

How it works

You did not buy McAfee, but the email looks real. The "cancel" link calls a scammer who wants to "refund" you but tricks you into wiring them money.

Red flag

The amount is too high. The "support" wants to remote into your computer or asks for bank info to "process the refund".

What to do

Delete the email. If you do have antivirus, log into the real account on its website, not via the email.