Fraud Alert

A fake alert about a suspicious Amazon purchase prompts you to call or log in. These scams aim to access your finances or control your device.

WHAT TO DO

• Don’t click on links or call numbers in unexpected messages.
• Go directly to your Amazon account through a browser or app to check for issues.
• Report fake alerts to Amazon’s customer service.

Fraudsters develop fake online relationships and, once trust is built, ask for money for fabricated emergencies or travel costs. They may claim to be abroad or serving in the military.

WHAT TO DO

• Be cautious with anyone who professes love quickly or avoids meeting in person.
• Never send money or share sensitive information with someone you haven’t met.
• Talk to a trusted friend or family member before acting on emotional appeals.

You’re told you’ve won a prize, but you must first pay fees or taxes in order to claim your prize. Scammers often use real logos and official-sounding names to trick you.

WHAT TO DO

• Remember: Legitimate sweepstakes never ask for payment.
• Remember: If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win.
• Never send money, gift cards, or personal information to claim a prize.

A scammer contacts you online and impersonates someone you know. They ask you to buy gift cards urgently, then send them pictures of the numbers.

WHAT TO DO

• Always verify requests for gift cards through a phone call or in-person conversation.
• Don’t send gift card information by text or email.
• Notify the person being impersonated right away.

A caller claims to be an IRS agent and threatens to arrest or fine you if you don’t pay immediately. Some promise fake refunds in exchange for banking details.

WHAT TO DO

• Hang up on threatening calls. The IRS initiates contact by mail first.
• Don’t share personal or financial info.
• Report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484.

Scammers offer to erase or reduce your debt, asking for large upfront fees. They often tell you to stop paying creditors, worsening your financial situation.

WHAT TO DO

• Avoid companies that promise guaranteed results or ask for fees before helping.
• Contact a nonprofit credit counseling agency for legitimate help.
• Research companies with the Better Business Bureau or your state attorney general’s office.

Scammers exploit apps like Zelle or Venmo by posing as friends or sellers to steal money. Payments are fast and hard to reverse.

WHAT TO DO

• Only use mobile payment apps with people you know.
• Verify requests through a separate communication channel.
• Report fraud immediately to your bank or app provider.

Scammers impersonate real estate professionals and send fake wire instructions for your closing funds, down payment, or final settlement. The email looks authentic, but it contains fraudulent payment instructions.

WHAT TO DO

• Always verify wiring instructions by calling a known number.
• Be alert to any last-minute changes in payment details.
• Don’t use the contact info provided in the email alone — always confirm it independently.

Fake charities solicit donations after disasters or during the holidays. They use emotional stories, livestreams, or similar names to real organizations.

WHAT TO DO

• Check the charity’s legitimacy at sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
• Avoid donating via wire, crypto, or gift card.
• Don’t be pressured into giving immediately. Legitimate charities will understand that you need time to verify.

You receive a call from someone pretending to be a grandchild (or other close family member) in trouble, urgently asking for money and secrecy. Some fraudsters even use AI voice cloning to make it sound convincing.

WHAT TO DO

• Ask questions that only your real relative would know the answers to.
• Hang up and call the person directly or contact a family member to confirm.
• Don’t send money based on a single call or message.

Scammers offer fake jobs and request personal information or upfront payments for training or equipment. Some send fake checks and ask for part of the money back.

WHAT TO DO

• Research any company offering you a job—look for real reviews and contact info.
• Never pay money as part of a job offer.
• Wait to provide sensitive details until after a verified hiring process.