Scammers call pretending to be the IRS, police, Amazon, banks, or even a family member in danger. They try to scare you into acting fast.
“You owe money right now.”
“Your account is locked.”
“Your family member is in trouble.”
Asking for gift cards or money transfers.
Hang up immediately — don’t engage
Call the real organization using the number on their official website
Block the number on your phone
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Fake delivery updates, bank alerts, “click to verify,” or “your package is delayed.”
“Links from unknown numbers
Messages with spelling errors
“Click here to fix your account”
Do NOT click any links
Delete the message
Contact your bank or delivery service directly if you’re unsure
Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
Emails pretending to be from companies like Netflix, Apple, PayPal, or your school.
“Your account will be closed.”
Fake login pages
Attachments you didn’t expect
Don’t open attachments or links
Check the sender’s email address carefully
Log in through the official website, not the email link
Mark the email as spam or phishing
Fake giveaways, hacked accounts sending “Is this you?” links, or fake investment pages promising fast money.
“I doubled my money!”
“Send me your code.”
Accounts with no real posts or followers
Ignore messages asking for money or codes
Verify with the person through another method (call/text)
Don’t share personal info in DMs
Report fake accounts to the platform
“Easy money,” fake check scams, or jobs that ask for your ID, SSN, or bank info before hiring.
“We’ll send you a check — deposit it and send some back.”
Jobs that pay too much for too little work
Asking for personal info immediately
Research the company before applying
Never send your SSN, ID, or bank info before you’re officially hired
Don’t cash checks from strangers
If it sounds too good to be true, it is
Fake websites selling items for super cheap, or sellers who take your money and disappear.
No reviews
No return policy
Prices that seem too good to be true
Check reviews and return policies
Only buy from secure sites (look for https://)
Avoid deals that seem unrealistically cheap
Use payment methods with buyer protection (PayPal, credit card)
Someone online builds trust, then asks for money, gift cards, or help with “emergencies.”
They never video call
They always have an excuse not to meet
They ask for money or financial help
Stop messaging if they ask for money
Never send gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
Video chat to confirm identity
Talk to a trusted friend or adult if something feels off
Fake scholarships, fake internships, or “urgent” school‑related messages.
Paying to apply
Requests for SSN or bank info
Emails that don’t come from official school domains
Only apply for scholarships from official school or government sites
Never pay to apply
Verify internship emails with your counselor or teacher
Check the sender’s domain (school emails end in .edu)