Latest Scams
Text and messages
Dated alerts about scams that arrive as a text or a direct message, with the safer next step and the published source for each one.
Scam alertUpdated
Text message · Updated
Not Registered to Vote Text? It's a Scam. Don't Tap the Link
A text saying you're not registered to vote, with a link, is a scam.
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Email · Updated
"MyChart Medicare Kit" or Test Results Email? It's a Scam
There is no MyChart Medicare Kit.
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Text message · Updated
Text About an Unpaid Toll? It Is Almost Certainly a Scam
Do not open the link and do not reply.
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Text message ·
Celebrity Messages You and Wants Meet-and-Greet Fees? It's an Impostor
A celebrity who writes to you privately from an account that is not their verified one, asks you to keep it secret, and later wants money for a meet and greet, a "security check," or their management is an impostor.
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Text message ·
Text Says Your Package Can't Be Delivered? Check the Tracking Yourself
A text you did not ask for that says a package cannot be delivered, has an address problem, or needs a fee, and gives you a link, is a scam.
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Phone call · Updated
Call or Text Asks for Your EBT Card Number and PIN? It's a Scam
A call or text that asks for your EBT card number or PIN, or says an EBT purchase was declined and gives you a number to call or a reply to send, is a scam.
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Phone call · Updated
Caller Says They're From the FTC and Says to Move Money? Hang Up
A caller who says they are from the FTC and threatens to shut off your phone number, demands secrecy, or tells you to move money, withdraw cash for a handoff, or buy Bitcoin is not the FTC.
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Text message ·
Text From a Church Leader Asking for Gift Cards? Call the Church
A text that seems to come from a leader at your church and asks you to buy gift cards or prepaid cards is a scam.
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Text message ·
Text Says Your Cloud Storage Is Full? Check the App, Not the Link
A message that says your cloud storage is full, says your photos and videos will be deleted, and pushes you to a link to upgrade is a phishing scam.
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Text message ·
Text Says Your License Will Be Suspended Over a Ticket? It's a Scam
A text that says you owe a traffic ticket or fine and that your driver's license will be suspended unless you pay through a link is a scam.
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Text message ·
Stranger Texts a Marketplace Listing With Your Name? Don't Reply
A text from a stranger asking whether your item is still available, with a picture of a Facebook Marketplace listing showing your name as the seller, is a lure to get you to reply.
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Search result ·
Landlord Won't Show the Home but Wants a Deposit? Walk Away
A landlord who won't show you the home in person but wants an application fee or deposit first is the sign of a fake rental listing.
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Text message ·
Stranger Has Your Lost Pet but Wants Money First? Don't Pay
Someone who says they have your lost pet but wants money before returning it is the sign of a scam.
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Phone call · Updated
CenterPoint or Entergy Shutoff Call? Hang Up and Check
A call or text demanding payment right now to stop a shutoff is a sign of a scam, even when caller ID shows your utility's name or its real call-center number.
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Text message ·
Game Tickets Sent as a Screenshot or PDF? Real Ones Move in the App
Real tickets for major games transfer inside an official app, so treat a ticket sent as a PDF, a scanned printout, or a barcode screenshot as a scam.
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Phone call · Updated
Pay a Fee to Raise Your Social Security Check? Hang Up
A call, text, email, or letter that says you must pay a fee or give your Social Security number or bank details to get a bigger benefit, or to activate your 2027 increase, is a scam.
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Phone call ·
A Caller Says FedEx Will Fine You Unless You Wire Cash? Hang Up.
A caller pretending to be FedEx who threatens a fine and tells you to wire cash is a scammer.
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Phone call ·
A Caller Knows Your Recent Order or Visit? It Can Still Be a Scam
Someone who knows your recent order or visit, then asks for a code, password, or money, is a sign of a scam.
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Phone call ·
Caller Sends a Barcode to Pay at a Store? It's a Scam. Hang Up
A caller who sends a barcode or QR code for you to pay at a store is running a scam.
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Text message · Updated
Donation Requests After a Disaster: Giving Without Being Taken
An unsolicited ask to donate right after a named storm, especially through a crowdfunding link or someone claiming to be a relief agency, is a reason to pause.
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Email ·
VA Message Asks for Your Social Security Number? It's a Scam
An unexpected email, call, text, or QR code that claims to be from VA and asks for your password, Social Security number, bank details, or VA file number is phishing.
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Phone call ·
Unsolicited Student Loan Forgiveness Pitch Asks for a Fee? Hang Up
A student-loan forgiveness pitch that asks for an upfront fee or your FSA login is a sign of a scam.
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Phone call ·
Someone Says They're FBI and Can Recover Your Lost Money? Hang Up
Hang up if someone who says they are the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center—or an FBI agent handling an IC3 report—contacts you about recovering money or updating a complaint.
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Text message ·
Stranger Paid You by Mistake on an App? Don't Refund Them Yourself
If money arrives in your Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal account from someone you do not know, and they then ask you to send it back, do not send a new payment yourself.
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Text message ·
Fake Amazon Email or Text Asking for Gift Cards: Check and Report It
If a message says your shopping account has suspicious activity and then asks you to call, reply, or buy gift cards, treat that request as the part that matters.
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Text message ·
Text About an IRS Refund or Stimulus? It's a Scam. Don't Tap the Link
The Internal Revenue Service does not send unexpected texts or emails asking you to confirm a refund, claim a stimulus payment, or scan a QR code to reach its website.
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Text message ·
A Real Recall Tells You to Stop Using It, Not to Click a Link
A message saying something you bought has been recalled, with a link to claim a refund, is worth checking somewhere other than that message.
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Text message ·
Text Says Your Service Gets Cut Off? Call the Company Yourself
A text saying a technician is preparing to disconnect your service is worth checking against your own account rather than through anything in the message.
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Text message ·
Someone You Met Online Urges a Crypto Investment? It's Likely a Scam
Someone you met online who steers you toward a crypto investment is likely running a scam.
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Text message ·
Link Opens a Screen Asking You to "Allow" an App? Don't Tap Allow
Do not tap Allow on a permission screen that arrived through a link someone sent you, even if the message looks like it comes from someone you know.
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30 alerts in this group. See every recent alert.