Know the tricks. Beat the scam.
Scammers rely on surprise, pressure, and secrecy. Once you can name the play, it loses its power. Here are the signals that show up again and again.
The six red flags in almost every scam
- Urgent pressure — “act now,” “within 5 minutes,” “final warning.”
- Requests for codes or passwords — no real company needs the code they just sent you.
- Strange links — shortened links, odd endings like .top or .xyz, or addresses that don’t match the real site.
- Gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers — irreversible payments no legitimate business asks for.
- Unknown senders — check the actual email address or number, not just the display name.
- Secrecy & isolation — “don’t tell your bank or family” means they’re afraid someone will stop you.
Today’s most common scams
Tap into the checker any time you’re unsure — but here’s how the big ones play out.
👶 Family emergency (“grandparent”) scam
A caller or text poses as your child or grandchild — or a lawyer/officer for them — claiming an arrest or accident and needing money or gift cards now, in secret. They may even fake a familiar voice.
What stops it: Hang up and call your family member on the number you already have. Ask something only they would know.
🏦 Bank / “safe account” scam
You’re told your bank or a government agency spotted fraud and your money must be moved to a “safe” account — sometimes over several calls.
What stops it: No real bank or agency ever moves your money or asks you to. Hang up and call the number on your card.
💕 Romance / investment (“pig-butchering”)
A warm new online relationship — or a friendly “wrong number” — slowly turns into a can’t-lose crypto or investment “opportunity” you can never withdraw from.
What stops it: Never send money or invest for someone you met online and haven’t met in person.
💻 Tech-support / refund scam
A pop-up, call, or “renewal” notice claims your device is infected or you’re owed a refund, then asks you to call and allow remote access.
What stops it: Never let someone you didn’t call control your computer. Real companies don’t cold-call about viruses.
🏪 Government / legal impersonation
The “IRS”, “Social Security”, police, or a court threatens arrest, fines, or lost benefits unless you pay or “verify” today.
What stops it: Agencies contact you by mail and never demand gift cards, wire, or crypto. Hang up and look up the real number yourself.
📦 Delivery & toll phishing
A text about a stuck package or unpaid toll asks for a small fee through a link — the real goal is your card details.
What stops it: Carriers and toll agencies don’t charge by text link. Check only at their real website, typed in yourself.
💰 Prize, lottery & inheritance
You’ve “won” something you never entered, or you’re “next of kin” to an inheritance — but first you must pay a fee or tax.
What stops it: You never pay to receive a prize or money that’s truly yours. Any upfront fee is a scam.
💼 Job & task scams
An easy remote “job” pays you to like or rate things, shows fake earnings, then asks you to deposit your own money to “unlock” more.
What stops it: Real jobs never ask you to pay to work or deposit money to get paid.
🛡️ If you’re unsure right now
- Slow down — urgency is the scammer’s main weapon.
- Don’t use links or numbers from the message. Look them up yourself.
- Never share one-time codes, PINs, or your wallet seed phrase.
- Talk to someone you trust before sending money.
📞 Where to get help & report
- AARP Fraud Watch Helpline (free, any age): 877-908-3360
- Report scams to the FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Lost money? File with the FBI: ic3.gov
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM); fake USPS texts to spam@uspis.gov
Practice makes you scam-proof
Our free checker includes a quick quiz that trains your eye on real-world examples. A few minutes now can save you thousands later.
Open the checker & quiz