Latest Scams
Payments
Dated alerts about payment requests that should be checked independently, 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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Phone call · Updated
Told to Give Cash to a Courier? No Real Agency Does That
If a caller arranges for someone to collect cash, gold, or anything else of value, at your home or through a rideshare car, it is a scam.
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Phone call · Updated
Told to Put Cash Into a Bitcoin (Crypto) Machine? Stop. It Is a Scam.
Treat any instruction to pay someone through a cryptocurrency ATM as a sign to stop, no matter who is asking or why.
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Email ·
A Vendor Emails New Bank Details? Call Them Before You Pay
An email from a vendor you already work with that asks you to change where you send a payment is the sign to stop.
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Phone call · Updated
Told to Pay to Get a Relative Out of Jail? Call the Jail Yourself
A caller who says you must pay now to get a relative out of jail is running a scam.
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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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Mail ·
Mystery Shopper Job Sent You a Check? Do Not Buy the Gift Cards
A mystery shopping job that sends you a check, tells you to deposit it, keep some as your pay, and use the rest to buy gift cards or send money is a scam.
Read this alertScam alertUpdated
Phone call · Updated
A Caller Says You Won a Car but Must Pay First? There Is No Car
A caller or letter that says you have won a car or a prize, then wants money, gift cards or personal information before you can collect, is running a scam.
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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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Search result ·
Store Site Says Your Card Was Declined? Don't Enter Another One
A store website that says your card was declined and asks for a different card, or whose web address has an extra letter or another small difference from the real store's, is a reason to stop.
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Phone call ·
Fire Department Asking for Payment Up Front? Check With It First
Someone who says they are with the fire department and wants payment up front for a fire inspection, a smoke detector installation, or another service is not the fire department.
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Phone call ·
Caller Says Your Property Taxes Are Overdue? Call the Tax Office
A caller who says your property taxes are overdue and that you must pay right now, over the phone, is a reason to hang up.
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Phone call ·
Caller Ties Your Account to Child Abuse Material? It's a Scam
A caller who says you are under investigation for child sexual abuse material, then wants money, gift cards, card details or access to your phone or computer to clear it, is a scammer.
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In person ·
A Paving Crew Knocks With a Low Price for Today? Say No Thanks
An unexpected crew at your door offering to pave your driveway for a low price is the sign to say no thanks.
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Phone call · Updated
A 'Federal Agent' Wants Your Savings Converted to Gold? Hang Up
No government agency will tell you to buy gold, or turn savings into cash, and hand it to a courier or "agent" to keep it safe.
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In person ·
A Notario Who Isn't a Lawyer Offers Immigration Help for a Fee
Someone who is not an attorney or an accredited representative offering to fill out your immigration forms or give legal advice for a fee is the sign to stop.
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Email ·
An Email From a State Agency Wants a $400 Deposit? Call the Agency
An email that says it is from a state agency and asks your business for a deposit, or for business details on a form you were not expecting, is the sign to stop.
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Phone call ·
A Cheap Health Plan Says It Is Not Insurance? Walk Away
A health plan with a very low price whose fine print says it is not insurance, or a caller who wants your bank or Social Security number before sending any plan documents, is a reason to walk away.
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Mail ·
A Free Dinner Turns Into a Stem Cell Pitch? Don't Sign Up There
A free dinner invitation that turns into a sales pitch for stem cell or tissue injections, with promises to ease pain or treat illnesses like Parkinson's, diabetes or dementia, is a reason not to sign up.
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In person ·
A Stranger Hugs You or Offers a Necklace? Your Jewelry Is the Target
A stranger who asks for directions, then hugs you or puts a "gift" necklace around your neck, can take your real jewelry while they are close and leave a fake in its place.
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Phone call ·
Bank Caller Says to Cut Up Your Card and Mail the Chip? Hang Up
A caller from your bank's "fraud department" who tells you to cut up your card and mail the pieces or the chip, or to hand it to someone at your door, is a scammer.
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Phone call ·
Caller Claims to Be Chinese Police or a Prosecutor? Hang Up
A caller who says they are Chinese police or a Chinese prosecutor, tells you that you are under investigation in China, and demands money to avoid arrest or extradition is running a scam.
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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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Phone call ·
Vendor Fee Calls for San Juan's Noche de Paz Aren't From the City
A call offering you a vendor spot at a city event in exchange for a payment over the phone is the sign to stop.
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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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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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Search result ·
Service Charges Thousands to Stop Sextortion? Free Help Exists
A company that charges thousands of dollars to track down a sextortionist, and tells you not to block the person threatening you, is a red flag.
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Phone call ·
Caller Says Gift Cards Will Fix Your Apple or Google Account? Hang Up
A caller who says your Apple or Google account has a problem and that buying gift cards will fix it is a scammer, and so is anyone who then tells you to mail cash.
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Phone call · Updated
"Bank" Caller Says to Send Money by Cash App? It's a Scam. Hang Up
Hang up if someone who says they are your bank or credit union asks you to send money through Cash App, Chime, or a temporary card while they "fix" a problem, or asks you to read back a code just sent to your phone.
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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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In person · Updated
Storm Repairs Offered at the Door? Check the License First
A crew that turns up after a storm and wants money before you have checked its license and permit is the sign to stop.
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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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In person · Updated
QR Code Sticker on a Parking Meter? Don't Scan It. Use the City's App
A sticker on a parking meter that says Scan to Park or Park AA, or any unfamiliar QR overlay on the real code, is not how Ann Arbor meters take payment.
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Phone call ·
A Ransom Call Says Your Child Was Kidnapped? Hang Up and Call Them
A call from an unknown number saying your child or another loved one has been kidnapped and will be released only after you pay is a hoax designed to get money.
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Email ·
Bill or Renewal You Don't Recognize? Don't Call the Number on It
A bill or renewal you don't recognize, with a number to call or a link to pay, is a sign of 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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Email ·
Norwegian Cruise Line Email Knows Your Booking? Check It in the App
A Norwegian Cruise Line email asking you to verify your card or check in through a link 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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Mail ·
A Mailer Demands Pay for Spotted Lanternfly Permits That Are Free
An unexpected letter or website that demands payment for a spotted-lanternfly "commission" permit or short online training, and threatens fines or criminal penalties, is a sign of a scam.
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In person ·
Generator Franchise Takes Deposits, Then Closes Without Refunds
Be wary of a home-generator seller that takes a large deposit up front and then stalls on delivery.
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Phone call · Updated
Is the Prime Settlement Refund Site Real? What the FTC Says
A real refund program from the Federal Trade Commission's Amazon Prime settlement is expanding on October 1, 2026, which is exactly the kind of news that brings copycat calls.
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Search result · Updated
Scammers Are Building Convincing Fake Car Dealership Websites
A dealership or auction site that looks real but has a slightly wrong web address, pressure to wire money, or no way to see the vehicle in person is a reason to stop.
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Search result · Updated
Search Ads Can Fake a Bill-Pay Page or a Government Login
The top search result can be a paid ad, so type the company's or agency's address yourself or use the link printed on your bill.
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In person ·
Door-to-Door Solar Pitch Promises Free Power Bills? Slow Down
Slow down if a door-to-door or online solar pitch promises free power bills or rushes you into a loan.
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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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Phone call ·
"Bank" Asks You to Dial *72? Hang Up. That Sends Your Calls to Them
Hang up if someone who says they are your bank asks you to dial *72, *21, or any star code followed by a number.
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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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Phone call ·
Caller Demands Court Fees After a Protective Order? It's a Scam
No police officer, sheriff's deputy, or district attorney will call and ask you to pay money over the phone.
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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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Search result ·
A Tractor Priced Well Below the Rest? Check the Dealer First
A farm equipment listing priced well below comparable machines is worth checking before any money moves, however complete the paperwork looks.
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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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Delivery · Updated
A Package You Did Not Order? Here's Why It Was Sent and What to Do
You may keep an item you never ordered—the law does not require you to pay for it or send it back.
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56 alerts in this group. See every recent alert.