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American consumers lost a total of $8.8 billion to fraud and scams in 2022.
Scams are everywhere these days, and unfortunately, theyre not always easy to identify.
Although authorities work hard to prevent scams, scammers work just as hard to evade the law.
Its up to the everyday consumer to identify a potential scam and save themselves from a financial loss.
An estimated 1.2% of all emails sent globally are from impersonation accounts.
Here are afew popular email scamsto help you know what to look for.
Your invoice is due.
False invoice emails usually contain an unclear description of services.
They may ask you to send money to aPayPal, Cash App or Zelle account.
Stay safe:Call the company youre expecting an invoice from and ask if it emailed you.
Your email account will be upgraded.
Stay safe:see to it that email really came from your email provider by comparing the domains.
Im a Nigerian prince.
The Nigerian prince scam is one of the oldest since the internet was invented.
Stay safe:Never send money to someone you dont know.
Click report phishing as soon as you receive this bang out of email.
Your PayPal account will be closed.
Stay safe:Compare the message to other emails youve received from PayPal.
When in doubt, contact PayPals customer service to verify the email.
5. c’mon log into your Dropbox account.
They might also ask you to download an attachment.
Stay safe:Check for misspellings in the senders address before you open any email supposedly from Dropbox.
You are due for a salary raise.
Scammers may impersonate your business or send a message that looks like ageneric HR memo.
Stay safe:Call your companys HR department to verify the raise.
Someone signed into your account.
The scammer is trying to get your login information.
Stay safe:Verify that the email is actually from that company before you click any links.
8. yo open this important attachment.
Stay safe:Never open an attachment unless you are 100% sure its legitimate.
You wont believe this headline.
Catchy, clickable subject lines?
That email could contain malware, even if you think its from your friend or atrusted news site.
Stay safe:News sites typically dont send attachments to avoid getting marked as spam.
Research the headline if you really want to learn more.
This is your boss.
Scammers may impersonate your boss to offer you a raise or ask for your personal info.
They might ask you not to tell anyone else a big red flag.
Stay safe:Call your boss or stop by their office to verify the email.
Stay safe:Avoid opening resent emails, especially from your work or financial institutions.
Your payment is overdue.
Did you really miss a payment, or is that a scammer after your bank account information?
Stay safe:Check your accounts to see if you actually missed a payment.
Call the institution to verify.
These scams might occur through email or text but are commonly phone calls.
Call the police right away if you stumble on any of these scams.
Its me, yo help.
Scammers may call,text or messageyou claiming to be a family member in trouble.
They can even impersonate your loved ones voice.
Stay safe:Call the personsreal phone number.
If they dont pick up, call someone else who knows the person and ask whats going on.
Your family member is in the hospital.
If you receive a call asking to pay for a family member in the hospital, dont send money.
Hospitals never ask for direct payment over the phone.
Stay safe:Call the family member.
Call or visit the hospital the scammer claims to represent.
Your family member is in jail.
Similarly, the police wont contact you for direct payment when a loved one is arrested.
Stay safe:Call the family member.
Call your local police department.
Im stuck in another country.
Stay safe:hit up the person and anyone else who knows them to see if theyre traveling.
To avoid these scams, consider visiting a tech support professional in person.
Research reputable companies and verify a professionals credentials before you trust anyone with your rig.
Call tech support now.
Received a message that you oughta call tech support?
Its probably a scam.
Real tech support professionals will not reach out to you with urgent requests.
Stay safe:Call your company or providersreal tech support line, not the number in the message.
18. your setup is at risk.
Pop-ups claiming that your machine is at risk could be a sign of malware.
They may contain links tobogus subscriptions or payment scams.
Stay safe:Dont hit the pop-up.
Research the alleged issue to learn more.
Again, pop-ups should never be trusted unless they come from a legitimate program you use every day.
Dont click that link.
Stay safe:Call or visit areal tech support provider.
20. kindly upgrade your account.
Whether this message comes in an email, text or pop-up, it could be bad news.
You may end up subscribing to illegitimate software.
Stay safe:Log into your account on a safe net web client and check for any pending upgrades.
Were a cheap tech support company.
Fake tech support companies may have legitimate-seeming websites.
Stay safe:Do your research and verify a company is real before you pay for tech support.
I noticed a problem with your system.
Cold calls about viruses?
Thats a red flag real tech support providersare too busy to cold call potential customers.
Stay safe:Ask the caller which company they work for.
Dont provide any login information over the phone.
Your account is vulnerable.
Social media companies, banks and email providers all have their own antivirus software.
You dont need a subscription to keep your account safe.
Stay safe:Do not trust these messages unless they come from a legitimate provider, like MacAfee.
I need access to your machine.
Scammers only need some basic information to log into your phone or laptop remotely.
Then they can access any information stored on the unit.
Stay safe:Dont provide your rig information over the phone or online.
Download our antivirus software.
Disguising malware as antivirus software is one of the oldest tricks in the book.
Home Repair Scams
With homeownership comes a whole new risk: home improvement scams.
These take advantage of homeowners by providinglow-quality or even harmful workfor a high upfront cost.
Here are a few examples of commonhome improvement scams.
Get a free home inspection.
Many contractors start with a free inspection, but they wont come to you.
Stay safe:Dont trust contractors who offer a free inspection unless you contact them first.
We noticed this problem with your house.
Stay safe:Ask for the persons credentials.
Get a second opinion on the issue they point out.
I have leftover supplies from another project.
Again,most legitimate contractorsare too busy to approach you out of the blue.
Offering cheap services because of leftover supplies is a common scam.
Stay safe:Never acceptunnecessary home repairsjust because they seem like a good deal.
Every legitimate contractor will use a contract.
No contract needed means they plan on overcharging or underdelivering.
Stay safe:Only work with teams that provide a construction contract.
I only accept cash.
Many contractors prefer cash, but refusing any other form of payment could mean theyre operating unlicensed.
Stay safe:Ask about payment methods before you sign a contract.
Well repair your storm damage.
Receiving unsolicited offers after a big storm?
Thats a prime opportunity for scammers.
Stay safe:Do your research before choosing any repair company.
I cant afford credentials.
Every construction professional must be licensed and insured.
This protects your property and liability.
If they run a legitimate business, they can and must afford credentials.
Stay safe:Ask for a contractors credentials before hiring them.
In the best case, the scammer takes your money and gives nothing back.
In the worst case, they gain access to yourbank accountand take as much as they want.
However, the Nigerian prince is far from the only advanced fee scam out there.
You won a big prize you never applied for!
Just pay this fee to receive it.
Stay safe:Ignore these messages.
If you didnt enter, chances are, you didnt win.
Pay for a chance to win.
You may think youre entering a contest, but youre actually just throwing away your money.
Your relative left you an inheritance.
Received a call from a mysterious lawyer about a mysterious inheritance?
Its probably too good to be true.
Stay safe:Never pay to receive an inheritance.
A real lawyer will not ask for upfront fees.
Help me unfreeze my funds.
It may be Nigerian royalty it may be a tech billionaire, a celebrity or just a random stranger.
Either way, they arent going to pay you back.
These messages can come via email, social media oreven a phone call.
Stay safe:Never send money to someone you dont know.
I have cheap tickets.
If someone calls or messages you aboutcheap concert tickets, they may be a scammer.
They just want you to pay in advance while receiving nothing.
Stay safe:Only buyconcert and event ticketsfrom legitimate providers.
Get approved for your loan faster.
Stay safe:Only trustverifiable loan providers.
Never pay upfront for a better loan offer.
39. Insider Betting Tips
Someone in your DMs has an insider tip on the next sure thing?
Stay safe:Ignore these messages.
Paying to cheat on a bet is illegal, anyway.
Im interested in your listing.
Stay safe:Remember, youre the seller.
You shouldnt have to pay anything.
You have been the victim of fraud.
They might make it seem serious, but theyre scamming you.
Stay safe:Call your actual bank.
Monitor your account for fraudulent payments.
A service youve been using for months suddenly requires a subscription?
Sounds like a scam.
Stay safe:Dont pay for any bonus features unless youre sure you should probably.
Your bank account is eligible for an upgrade.
It might not be your bank.
Stay safe:Contact your bank directly.
Again, you should never have to pay upfront for a loan or credit card offer.
Youve been pre-selected for fraud.
Stay safe:Only work with trusted financial institutions and contact them directly.
Put a deposit down now.
Stay safe:Take caution on online marketplaces.
Never pay until you have the purchase in hand or proof that it will be delivered.
Street Scams
Financial fraud has been around since long before the internet.
Although online scams and cyber-crimes are more prevalent today,old-school street scamshavent gone anywhere.
These cons are common in tourist areas, especially overseas.
They often target travelers who are unfamiliar with thearea or customs.
Whether youre abroad or in your hometown, keep an eye out for these common street scams.
This is for you.
Stay safe:Dont accept any gifts from strangers.
If you do and they demand payment, hand the item back or put it down and walk away.
Stay safe:Stick with trusted vendors and pay in exact change whenever possible.
I can help with that.
Then theyll demand payment or steal your belongings.
Stay safe:Dont accept unsolicited help.
You didnt pay the full amount.
Another street vendor trick: After you pay, theyll claim you short-changed them.
Stay safe:If paying in cash, take a picture of the amount before handing it over.
If paying with a card, check your online account to verify the payment.
Stay safe:Ignore the person and enter anyway.
If you really need to pay, youll be charged by an official employee.
Thats not our current menu.
Stay safe:Look up a restaurants reputation online before you enter.
Want to take a picture?
Stay safe:Avoid the character selfies youll takemore memorable pictureselsewhere.
I bet I know where you got your shoes.
This scam is common in New Orleans and other big cities.
My meter is broken.
Theyll charge whatever they want after the ride.
Stay safe:Verify that the meter works before getting in the taxi.
That ATM has high fees.
In this scam, someone approaches you at an ATM and offers a better price.
Theyll then produce ahandheld card readerthat simply takes your money.
Stay safe:Only use legitimate ATMs in safe areas.
This bill is counterfeit.
If a vendor tells you your bill is counterfeit, they could just be after more money.
Stay safe:Ask for the bill back so you’re able to pay by another method.
If they refuse, walk away.
Social Media Scams
The FTC has referred to social media as the golden goose for scammers.
Keep an eye out for these common scams whenever youre online.
Hey guys, check this out.
Stay safe:Carefully research any offers you see advertised on social media.
We love your content!
Stay safe:Never send money or sensitive information to a stranger online.
Your account has been hacked.
Stay safe:Log into your account and check for suspicious activity.
Never pay to prevent hackers.
You have to try this.
Is the product really that amazing, or are they trying to swindle you into a scam?
Stay safe:Carefully research any products or services you hear about through social media.
I cant believe this happened.
Received a DM from someone you know claiming something terrible has happened, with an attached video?
This is a common scam.
Stay safe:Dont tap the link.
Call the person to tell them their account has been hacked.
Stay safe:Dont take any quizzes you see on social media.
Were giving away free merchandise.
Stay safe:Never sign up for free offers on social media.
More like enter to lose your money.
Stay safe:Never pay to enter a contest, whether its advertised on social media or through email.
I have a great way to get rich quick.
These offers might come from people you know, but that doesnt make them legitimate.
Unfortunately, there isno guaranteed wayto get rich quick.
Stay safe:Politely decline these offers.
Call me, its an emergency.
Emergency scammers may venture to get your attention through social media.
Remember, just because you see the persons account name doesnt mean its really them.
Stay safe:Contact that person on another platform.
Nearly 70,000 people reportedromance scamsin 2022.
Romance scammers, or catfishers, will have a go at take your money through a false relationship.
Employment Scams
Looking for a job?
If youre not careful, you could end up falling victim to a scam.
Employment scams target vulnerable people looking for work.
These scams might involve an advance fee or an illegitimate business offer.
Look out for these common ploys.
I have an incredible opportunity for you.
When someone approaches you with a seemingly incredible job offer, you should be cautious.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Stay safe:Ask them about the company or organization and do your research.
Illegitimate companies can still make their way to the top of search engine results.
You may think youre filling out an utility, when youre actually giving away your personal information.
Stay safe:If an system asks for unnecessary information or a fee, dont finish it.
Well help you get hired.
Stay safe:Stick with certified, well-reviewed career counseling services.
Some job search sites are legitimate, while others require high fees for unreliable listings.
Stay safe:Use highly trusted job search platforms, like Indeed and LinkedIn.
Youve been pre-selected for an interview.
If someone contacts you claiming theyd like to schedule an interview, they might be trying to scam you.
Stay safe:Dont trust interview offers from jobs you didnt apply for.
If you love these products, why not sell them?
Stay safe:Dont agree to sell products if you should probably pay out of pocket for them first.
We need to check your credit.
Want to live like me?
Does an influencer want to share their secret towealthwith you?
Chances are, theyre looking for payment.
Stay safe:Never trust an unrealistic offer to get rich quick.
76. you might work from home.
While remote work is real and common, scammers also use this promise to lure victims into paid schemes.
Stay safe:Research every opportunity you come across, especially remote opportunities at companies youve never heard of.
Start your own business with this equipment.
Starting a business requires a lot of overhead and careful planning.
If they tell you its as simple as buying their product or equipment, its probably not.
Stay safe:If you want to start your own business, begin with careful research and planning.
Dont jump into an opportunity that requires an upfront cost.
You have to apply right now.
If you must apply today for that amazing opportunity, its probably a scam.
Stay safe:Never rush into an software process without researching the company first.
Housing Scams
Looking for a new house or apartment is stressful enough without the risk of scammers.
If youre perusing the housing market, keep an eye out for these common schemes.
Pay your deposit in advance.
Anyone who asks you to pay a deposit before seeing the home is trying to scam you.
Stay safe:Never pay a deposit until you have signed a lease.
Pay to schedule a showing.
Showing fees are uncommon and unethical, especially for rental listings.
You probably wont hear back about that showing.
Stay safe:Stick to listings that offer free showings.
This deal is too good to pass up.
In todays housing market, most sellers arent desperate to bring in buyers.
Stay safe:Pass up offers from pushy sellers.
Im subletting my apartment.
Get insider tips on the housing market.
Buying or renting is expensive enough dont pay extra for phony tips.
Stay safe:Ignore these offers in your inbox.
Your rent check bounced.
Received a weird message from your landlord asking for more money?
That might not be your landlord.
Stay safe:Contact your landlord directly.
Below Market Rate
If that BMR listing seems a little too cheap to be real, its probably fake.
Stay safe:Ignore or report extraordinarily cheap listings.
Debt Repayment Scams
Lower-income households are especially vulnerable to money scams and that includes people in debt.
Check out these examples.
Your account is (suddenly) past due.
Received a sudden, unexpected phone call that your account is extremely overdue?
Its probably a scam.
Stay safe:Call your lender or check your account balance online.
Never pay a caller directly.
Refinance your loan with us.
While loan refinancing is legitimate, take caution with unrealistic or pushy offers.
Stay safe:Only refinance your loan with your current lender or another established institution.
Your relative left you a debt.
Like the mysterious inheritance, that mysterious debt probably isnt real.
Stay safe:Never pay a strange caller or messenger.
You must pay us right now.
Is your lender suddenly pressing you to pay your full balance immediately?
Check again thats not your lender.
Stay safe:Stick with your repayment plan and report any impersonators.
You have outstanding fines.
If you dont remember getting those fines in the first place, you probably dont need to pay them.
Stay safe:Before paying any outstanding fines, ensure the sender is legitimate.
You must pay us right now.
Youve received a parking ticket.
Stay safe:Contact your citys parking authority to find out if the ticket is real.
I represent your lender.
Stay safe:Contact your lender about the message.
However, remember to take a breath and think logically.
Real government officials arent looking for handouts.
These common government impersonation scams are designed to scare you out of your money.
This is the IRS.
When the IRS calls you demanding an urgent payment, hang up.
If the IRS needs to contact you, itll send several notices in the mail first.
Stay safe:Ignore or report these calls.
95. you’re able to just pay me here.
Youve been selected for jury duty.
Jury duty is real paying to hold your place or signing up with your bank account information is not.
Stay safe:Real juror summons come in the mail or through personal delivery.
Ignore any summons you receive through a text, email or phone call.
There is a problem with your Social Security account.
Social Security scams commonly target retired Americans.
Stay safe:Never provide your Social Security information online, unless its throughssa.gov.
Your Medicare coverage has been suspended.
Your health insurance has suddenly been suspended, and you must pay now!
Dont panic this is a scam.
Stay safe:Call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
You will be placed under arrest.
The scammer may even claim the police are already on their way, but dont panic theyre not.
Stay safe:If someone calls claiming youre under arrest, hang up.
Report the call to the police.
100. kindly donate to my campaign.
A presidential candidate contacting you directly?
Its probably a scam.
Stay safe:If you want to donate to a candidate, research legitimate campaign sites.
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