FILTERS
  • Date
  • Category
  • Topic
  • Media
Digital padlock on a technology-themed background, representing the importance of recognizing fraud warning signs and protecting personal information from scams.

Pause, verify, protect: How to spot common scams

Fraudsters exploit trust, urgency and uncertainty to steal personal information or money. Their methods change with technology, but their goal is usually the same: pressure people to act before they can think, verify or ask questions.

Anyone can become a target. Scammers often pose as trusted organizations, businesses or loved ones, so familiarizing yourself with common tactics can help you respond with confidence.

1. Imposter scams

A caller claims to represent the IRS, Medicare, Social Security or another trusted organization and says you owe money, your benefits are at risk or your account has been compromised.

Ask yourself: Did they contact you unexpectedly or demand payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency?

Your financial institution will never ask you to move money to a “safe account” – that request is always a scam.

2. Tech support scams

A call, email, text or pop-up warns that your computer has a virus. The scammer offers to fix it and asks for remote access.

Once inside, they can install malicious software or steal personal and financial information.

Ask yourself: Did you contact support for a specific problem? Legitimate technology companies do not make unsolicited calls to repair your device.

Never grant remote access to anyone who contacted you first.

3. Grandparent scams

A frantic caller claims to be a grandchild, relative or friend in an emergency and needs money immediately.

They often ask you to keep the situation secret. A voice that sounds exactly like your loved one is not proof that it is them. Scammers can clone voices that sound similar from short audio clips.

Ask yourself: Can you hang up and call the person directly or check with another family member before sending money?

4. Social media and romance scams

Fraudsters build trust for weeks through social media, dating platforms or messaging apps.

Eventually, they ask for financial help, investment money or emergency assistance.

Ask yourself: Have you met this person in real life? Be cautious of anyone you’ve never met who asks for money or financial information.

5. Phishing scams

Phishing messages impersonate banks, retailers, government agencies or other familiar organizations.

They may include a malicious link, ask you to verify information or create urgency to make you act quickly.

Ask yourself: Were you expecting this message? If unsure, contact the organization directly using its official website or phone number.

6. Web browsing scams

A website displays a fake security alert, error message or CAPTCHA request claiming your device is infected or your identity needs verification.

Following the instructions can lead to malware downloads, ransomware or stolen credentials.

Ask yourself: Is the site asking you to download software or take unusual steps?

A legitimate CAPTCHA will never ask you to download software, copy and paste commands, or press keyboard shortcuts.

7. Authentication scams

Criminals increasingly target multifactor authentication by trying to steal one-time verification codes.

They claim to be from your bank, employer or technology provider and ask you to read back a code sent to your phone.

Ask yourself: Did you initiate the login? Authentication codes are for your use only and should never be shared.

8. Fake check scams

You receive a check for more than you’re owed and are told to deposit it and send some money elsewhere. The check can take days or weeks to be flagged even after your financial institution makes funds available, which is one of the reasons why this type of scam works.

Ask yourself: Why would someone overpay and ask you to return part of it? If the arrangement seems complicated, proceed carefully.

9. Healthcare fraud

Fraudsters may offer discounted medical equipment, prescriptions, insurance services or healthcare products to collect Medicare numbers, insurance information or personal data.

Ask yourself: Did you request this product or service? Verify the organization is legitimate before sharing healthcare information.

10. Investment scams

Promises of guaranteed returns, exclusive opportunities or little-to-no risk should raise concerns, especially when cryptocurrency, precious metals, gift cards or wire transfers are involved.

Scammers often pressure you to act before you can research the opportunity.

Ask yourself: Is the return unrealistically high? Have you checked the opportunity with a trusted financial professional?

How to stay safer

A few simple habits can reduce your exposure to fraud:

  • Pause before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
  • Verify unexpected communications through a trusted phone number or website.
  • Never share passwords, account credentials or authentication codes.
  • Be wary of requests involving cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers or precious metals.
  • Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails and text messages.
  • If you think your personal information has been compromised, consider freezing your credit to help prevent unauthorized transactions.
  • Talk with trusted family members or financial professionals before making pressured decisions.

If you suspect you’ve been targeted, contact your financial institution immediately using the number on the back of your card or its official website, and never a number provided in the suspicious message. Acting quickly can help limit damage and protect your accounts. You can also report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or, for internet crimes, the FBI at ic3.gov.